Announced in spring 2019, driven by an exceptional donation of $6 million made by theater man Roland Lepage, the Musée du Séminaire de Québec project has fallen behind schedule. The Museum of Civilization of Quebec leads it, at the same time as that of the future National Museum of the History of Quebec and that of these now aborted Blue Spaces. So many projects mean that the optimistic opening initially announced for 2023-2024 will not be respected. Where are we with this Seminary Museum?
“The site of the Séminaire de Québec is a fundamental site, with great historical and heritage potential,” reminded the Duty a few weeks ago the outgoing director of the Museum of Civilization (MCQ), Stéphan La Roche.
“It’s big, over several pavilions. We have a vision over many years. »
It will be the Cité du Séminaire, announces Mr. La Roche, “a name which covers all the pavilions of the Séminaire de Québec: the Chapelle, the Guillaume-Couillard, Jérôme-Demers, Camille-Roy pavilions, and the other pavilions. » With this complex of several buildings, the MCQ aspires to create “a museum city” within the city itself. “It’s a long time, these projects! It’s going to take 10 years, 20 years, I don’t know… The milestones are being laid. »
The Séminaire de Québec remains the owner of the premises, specifies Mr. La Roche. The MCQ has “long-term” occupancy agreements — there is one that is still for 55 years.
Is the realization horizon much more distant than what was announced during Mr. Lepage’s donation? ” Yes quite. » The philanthropist, director of the famous show The ribouldinguenow 95 years old, therefore risks not being able to visit the Seminary Museum and the House of Sciences to which he gave a financial boost.
Remember that Mr. Lepage gave 5 million “to grow and finance activities to promote the Seminary’s collections,” according to Mr. La Roche, and an additional million for the Maison des sciences.
The opening of the House of Sciences “in 2027 is desired, but this date depends on the progress of the project and its financing,” said Anne-Sophie Desmeules, MCQ publicist. Some $5.5 million was raised for this project during last November’s corporate campaign. The City of Quebec has confirmed its contribution of 2.5 million.
“We want to take the time to do things well. We are actively working on content development, accessibility measures and financing,” continues M.me Desmeules.
“The projects have evolved, things have changed, obviously,” continues Mr. La Roche. “The collections of the Séminaire, in any case, are always used and highlighted in different projects, so Mr. Lepage is very comfortable with that. »
The duty requested an interview with the philanthropist. “Unfortunately, his current state of health does not allow it,” said the MCQ, declining the request. Other sources confirmed the artist’s fragile state of health.
A city within a city
The National Museum of the History of Quebec (MNHQ), with its full occupation of the Camille-Roy pavilion, “will be part of this Cité du Séminaire,” explained Stéphan La Roche. The House of Sciences too, whose new location will be “announced soon”.
And the Seminary Chapel will also be there. It will reopen in November, after a major restoration begun in January 2020 which cost $4.9 million — the largest restoration project carried out to date by the Center de conservation du Québec.
What will the Chapel be used for? “It is sufficient in itself, it is so magnificent,” retorts Mr. La Roche with a smile. “It is a place of entertainment, diffusion, concerts, with its two organs, a harpsichord and a concert piano. »
“There could also be conferences, symposia and obviously private activities too, so a whole program of cultural and educational mediation will take place there. »
“There will possibly be other things” in this City, suggested the director of the MCQ. “And we manage the Seminary collection, too. »
Some observers, when the National Museum of Quebec History was announced, were critical of having seen the MCQ sell the Maison Chevalier, a heritage building from 1752 which housed an interpretation center on Place-Royale, as well as than the closure of the Place-Royale Museum in 2017.
Isn’t it a strange loop to close history museums located in heritage buildings to create a new one, certainly bigger and more ambitious, in another historic place? “The Museum of Civilization has chosen in recent years to concentrate on two sites,” replies Stéphan La Roche. “That of the MCQ itself, rue Dalhousie, and on the site of the Séminaire de Québec. It’s a choice. »
In 2019, the MCQ estimated that the Seminary museum and chapel project would cost $32 million. How much is the future Cité du Séminaire estimated at today? “It is premature to set a budget and a precise timetable at this stage, where we are still conceptualizing,” believes Ms.me Desmeules.