The City of Archeology and History of Montreal will be 30 years old on May 17, 2022. As the very first festive event between now and then, Pointe-à-Callière is offering Heart stroke ! Our collections are exhibitedan exhibition offering 400 pieces acquired by the museum since 1992.
Posted at 6:00 a.m.
The Pointe-à-Callière museum has exhibited more than 1 million artifacts to 10 million visitors, including 500,000 students, since its creation. For this year of celebrations, the Old Montreal institution was able to choose, from its treasury of 40,000 pieces acquired since 1992, significant pieces that paint a singular portrait of Montreal.
“We have grouped the objects into 20 themes and each is treated as a mini-exhibition, explains project manager Brigitte Lacroix. The goal was not to tell the city chronologically, but to let the artifacts tell their little story. This is the first time that the museum presents an exhibition consisting solely of its own objects to affirm the unique character of Montreal. »
A playful and interactive scenography accompanies the various stations of the exhibition to give the public the impression that they are strolling through the museum reserve. Consisting of archive boxes, The Montreal treefor example, welcomes the public by showing objects and videos of Expo 67.
PHOTO CATHERINE LEFEBVRE, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
The Montreal tree
“The museum has more than a hundred objects from this landmark event for Montreal, which allowed Quebecers to meet visitors from all over the world. »
Everyday life
Large gatherings, celebrations and festivals have always been part of the city’s DNA. Whether it’s the 1976 Olympic Games, or the grand inauguration of the Victoria Bridge in 1860 with fireworks and the presence of the Prince of Wales.
With the help of artefacts and numerous videos, the museum route also offers objects from everyday life, as well as commercial, industrial and sporting artefacts, including a seat from the old Forum (1924-1968) and a stone from the most former North American curling club, the Royal, which still exists and was founded in 1807!
PHOTO CATHERINE LEFEBVRE, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Various objects associated with transportation in Montreal are on display.
“Another characteristic of Montreal is mobility, and therefore transportation,” notes Brigitte Lacroix. The horse was the main means of transport at the beginning. Then, the electric tramway allowed urban sprawl and the development of neighborhoods from Verdun to Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. »
Remarkable objects
Other remarkable objects punctuate the presentation, such as the model of the first steamboat that sailed on the St. Lawrence River, the Lady Sherbrooke which belonged to the Molson family. A video shows archaeologists on a scuba diving expedition filming the wreckage still lying at the bottom of the water near the Boucherville Islands.
Many archival documents, photos and plans are also used to illustrate certain specific moments in the history of the city, including a rarity, a British spy card.
“Every English officer had one to remind him of the weak points of the fortifications of Montreal for the purpose of a military invasion. Obviously, they were not used since the city capitulated in 1760,” says Brigitte Lacroix.
Family life
To describe Montreal in a few words, we often say that it’s good to live there. A whole part of Heart stroke ! Our collections are exhibited focuses on daily life in the metropolis over the years and very heterogeneous objects such as Louis-Joseph Papineau’s cap, telephones from several eras or even rare pewter pottery spoons.
PHOTO CATHERINE LEFEBVRE, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
One can see telephone devices from several eras.
“The piece de resistance in this section is a complete set of ‘Duplessis’ tableware from the National Assembly. It was a competition launched by the Prime Minister among students who had to include the fleur-de-lis in their project. »
Located not far from rue Saint-Jacques, the Canadian “Wall Street” of the time, the museum has reproduced a bank counter similar to those found in many banking establishments of the time. Another section includes several artifacts from convenience stores and department stores: clothing, manual cash register, posters, etc.
PHOTO CATHERINE LEFEBVRE, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Another section includes several artifacts from convenience stores and department stores: clothing, manual cash register, posters, etc.
“Before moving to rue Sainte-Catherine, these large businesses were located in Old Montreal, like Dupuis Frères. It was the Amazon of the time since it delivered everywhere in Quebec and it was the first store where Montrealers were able to be served in French. Our collection includes several magnificent catalogs. »
Montreal festival
Montreal, cultural metropolis, also occupies an important part of the exhibition. Visitors can play the piano and attend the reading of the poem Speak White by Michèle Lalonde on video. The museum has recovered several objects from song boxes such as Le 2 Pierrots and multicolored balls that decorated Sainte-Catherine Street in the Gay Village not so long ago.
PHOTO CATHERINE LEFEBVRE, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
The museum has recovered several objects from song boxes such as Le 2 Pierrots.
Finally, in video, journalist Claude Deschênes recounts the importance of Montreal’s cultural life in all its diversity and its spirit of celebration in winter and summer, particularly in the Quartier des Spectacles.
The exhibition Heart stroke ! Our collections are exhibited is presented at the Pointe-à-Callière museum until January 8, 2023. During spring break, free activities are offered to the family as part of the exhibition Make way for the circus!.