This text is part of the special school break notebook
Celebrated in the exhibition Saint-Henri, the heart at workat the Pointe-à-Callière museum, the history of the Montreal neighborhood Saint-Henri constitutes a cradle of certain foundations of current society.
The first unionization initiatives (from the 19the century) to the few roots of our popular culture that blossomed in Saint-Henri, your young people on a school break will learn a lot. Remember that the novelist Gabrielle Roy made it the heart of her legendary novel Second-hand happiness, that Yvon Deschamps was born there. Olivier Guimond saluted him in the unforgettable vignette of the War Measures Act in Bye bye 1970 and Simon Boulerice lives there…. The exhibition details the significant pieces of the past of this corner of Montreal still in redefinition, halfway between bourgeoisie and working-class neighborhood.
Industries (its factories manufactured just about everything, from beer to tobacco, including furniture, light bulbs and toys, like the chubby Bout d’chou doll!), architecture, commerce, civic organizations, art , sport: this visit to the Saint-Henri of yesterday offers us a better understanding of the metropolis and current Quebec.
Anne Élisabeth Thibault, general director of Pointe-à-Callière, is proud of the three hundred images and audiovisual archive documents. These items are in addition to 380 witness objects (from 34 private and institutional lenders) and artifacts, some dating as far back as the 17th century.e century, which give substance to Saint-Henri, the heart at work.
“We see and hear people, we admire objects linked to life in the Saint-Henri district. We have a global portrait of the neighborhood,” she summarizes, maintaining that it is the entire historical fabric of Montreal which parallels the development of the sector here in the spotlight.
Let’s go to sea!
Pointe-à-Callière also invites schoolchildren on leave to have fun during spring break with activities inspired by two of its current exhibitions, Saint Lawrence River, echoes from the shores And On board! Pirates or privateers?
From March 2 to 9, a decor of small colorful cabins, reminiscent of a fishing village, will be on view around the museum. Wandering activities of the characters of Prince Iceberg and Draveur Gaffeur, guided tours, sporting challenges, creative workshops, story time, virtual reality simulation, all on an entirely pedestrian site: this should make you want to browse and explore. exploration for your little sailors and buccaneers, who can spend time there during the day, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
For their part, adults who feel like staying up late for the Montréal All-Nighter in Lights, on Saturday, March 2, can come to Pointe-à-Callière. Between 7 p.m. and midnight, the institution will be the scene of an evening where traditions and stories linked to the St. Lawrence River will be in the spotlight. Short shows will be presented in the establishment’s lobby, notably by the artist Aroussen Gros-Louis, professional dancer from the Wendat nation, and the traditional Quebec sea shanty group Brise-Glace. The paths St. RiverLaurent, echoes of the shores And Saint-Henri, the heart at work will also be accessible free of charge.
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.