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In North American history, a rendezvous was a larger meeting held typically once per year in the wilderness. All types included a major transfer of furs and goods to be traded for furs. Variations included a mix of other types of trading, business transactions, business meetings and revelry.
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In canoe-based fur trade areas
One type of rendezvous is associated with the voyageur & canoe-based fur trade business which was largely in Canada. These were generally at a transportation transfer point within in a wilderness route that could not be traversed in one season run by and including the fur trade of only a single company. The transfer was the dominant reason for holding the rendezvous although they included other meetings and revelry.
In the western part of what is now the United States
Rendezvous held in the western part of what is now the United States included a more diverse range of activities than their northern counterparts. Such a rendezvous might include several fur trading companies, and array of fur traders, mountain men and native Americans. A substantial amount of deal-making and trading occurred at these rendezvous. These were often a temporary "town" of sorts with businesses which offered the fur trade workers and participants ways to spend their money on supplies and revelry. The emblematic type was a large annual rendezvous held in the Rocky mountains from 1825 until 1840. One of the largest of these was the Rendezvous of 1832. Much of the attendance of these consisted of mountain men who were fur trade participants who were experienced at living in the mountain back country.
Modern rendezvous
Historical fur trade rendezvous are the basis or inspiration for rendezvous that are held today. Some of these (such as those held by buckskinners) are historical re-enactments to varying degrees; others are not reenactments but are inspired by elements of historical rendezvous.