Posted at 11:30 a.m.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Cédric Gagnon personifies the miller of Île Perrot, seated near his house.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The flour mill was built in 1707 and 1708. It regained its wings, ripped off during a storm in June 2016, as well as its former presence thanks to major renovations, which required an investment of $664,000. of the Society for the Development of Cultural Enterprises (SODEC). The masonry, the skylights, the elements of the external mechanism and the drainage system in particular were the subject of meticulous work.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The windmill is one of only two still active in North America. Its launch is one of the key activities of the festivities surrounding the 350e anniversary of Ile Perrot. About fifty activities have been planned, including a tribute on July 9 and 10 to the First Nations who lived on the island, formerly called Teionnhonskwaronte.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Modern miller Normand Pigeon explains the operation of the windmill, which has three levels. It is a mill-tower, the most widespread model in New France. Guided tours of the mill will take place throughout the summer. A new interactive show, animated by the collective memory, scripted by Lise Chartier and directed by Daniel Bertolino and Sébastien Roy, is also notably presented at the interpretation center of the Pointe-du-Moulin historical park.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The miller’s house, located near the mill, will be renovated as part of major works which will begin at the end of the year. Its roof, the staircase on the side, the masonry inside and the beams under the floor will be restored in particular in order to preserve it, recently announced Carole Hamelin, director general of real estate heritage at the Société de développement des entreprises culturelle ( SODEC).
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The miller’s house will be restored as part of a new series of works. During the summer, activities organized to celebrate the 350th anniversary of Île Perrot will also allow you to discover the trades of yesteryear.