Another one of my heritage companions just passed away recently. Yves Laframboise left his mark on Quebec with his knowledge and awareness of architectural heritage.
I knew Yves in the boom years of heritage (1975) when we were together at the Inventory of Cultural Property at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Quebec. Quebec was in search of its identity and we were on the ground to collect these pieces of our history.
His first published book, published by Éditions de l’Homme in 1975, Traditional architecture in Quebec. The house of 17e and 18e centuriesis directly inspired by the volume Architectural vocabulary. Principles of scientific analysis, then published by the General Inventory of Monuments and Artistic Riches of France. His book is an abundant source of documentation on the terminology, techniques and history of Quebec domestic housing. It is published immediately after The traditional house in Quebec, by Michel Lessard (1974). It is in line with the flagship books on our heritage. Many students, professors and heritage professionals have referred to it.
Yves will continue even more with his book Picturesque villages of Quebecin 1996, and another entitled Picturesque tours of Quebec, in 1999, which will experience publishing success. I will partner with him and Henri Dorion to produce two books, first Quebec in 40 must-see sitesThen Quebec in 50 must-see sites.
Then, he continues with other publications, each as relevant as the last. Thus will appear The house in Quebec. From the French colony to the 20th centurye century, in 2001, Quebec interiorsin 2003, and then Restoring a traditional house in Quebecin 2008. He will also publish the Guide to the most beautiful villages in Quebecin 2012.
A discreet and reserved man, with great intellectual rigor, he made an absolutely exceptional contribution to the knowledge of Quebec heritage. It will have raised awareness among thousands of people about the protection of Quebec landscapes and heritage.
A journalist from Duty had already nicknamed him “the landscape hunter”. I think this name describes it very well. He hunted for us the most beautiful landscapes of Quebec, he introduced them to us, wrote them down and explained them to us.
Not long ago, a heritage enthusiast from my village invited me to come and consult his library, explaining to me that he was very proud of his collection of the three Ls. Seeing my surprised look, he told me that he had all the books by Lessard, Laframboise and Lahoud. Seeing myself associated with these two giants made me happy for the day and even more… I still think about it.
Yves had an infectious laugh. We will miss him.