previous exhibitions

Pick a Peck of Pumpkins...

Every year, the pumpkin becomes the queen of autumn. However, in so honouring her, we forget about the other members of the squash family that are used in our daily life. They are not only found on our plates, but are also used in beauty products, on stage, as instruments in concerts, and as decorations in dining rooms. Cultivated over 5000 years ago by the Native People, squashes are now present in all continents. What a history to discover!

Profit and Ambition: The Canadian Fur Trade, 1779–1821

Starting May 17, Profit and Ambition: The Canadian Fur Trade, 1779–1821 draws a riveting portrait of the fur trade’s cutthroat business practices and its physically demanding way of life. It also traces the fierce rivalry between the North West Company, and the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC).

Profit and Ambition profiles the North West Company, an extraordinary consortium of Montréal entrepreneurs, Scottish explorers, French-Canadian voyageurs, Métis bison hunters, Aboriginal trappers and “country wives”. Together, they created a commercial empire, opened new routes across the continent and laid the groundwork for the Canada we know today.

It is to compete with the HCB, who dominated the Canadian fur trade for over 100 years that the North West Company forged new trade routes in the south, reaching out to Aboriginal traders on their way to Hudson Bay. Using ruthless tactics, it took just over 15 years to the North West Company to gain control of nearly 80 per cent of the Canadian fur trade but the competition was ruinous to both companies, eventually leading to their amalgamation.

A unique collection

Profit and Ambition features about 90 artifacts and works of art. Among the many notable items are trade goods — such as muskets, metal tools, jewellery and ornaments — and rare articles of Aboriginal and European clothing. Many of the objects date from the late 1700s. The exhibition also features original North West Company documents such as voyageur contracts. Works of art include paintings by Frances Anne Hopkins, an extraordinary English woman who travelled with her husband by voyageur canoe in the mid-1800s, recording iconic scenes of the fur trade.

Most of the artifacts are drawn from the Canadian Museum of Civilization’s own collections, but some come from a variety of other institutions such as the Canadian War Museum, Library and Archives Canada, the Hudson’s Bay Company Archives, Parks Canada, and the Musée de la civilisation in Quebec City. 

Presented from May 17 to October 2, 2011 at the Château Ramezay, it is a travelling exhibition produced by the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Profit and Ambition was seen by more than 100,000 visitors when presented at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, in Gatineau (Quebec) from September 2009 to February 2011.

COLORS IN BLOOM

The famous photographer Louise Tanguay returns this year with a brand new floral macro photography exhibition, Colors in Bloom. The dazzling sensuality of the shapes, textures and colors of these fascinating and spectacular photographs will leave you entranced. 

Ms. Tanguay, a renowned photographer, has traveled the world for four decades to perpetuate such ephemeral lives. From deserts to lush islands, through the boreal forest and volcanoes, flowers transcend time through her lens. 

Colors in Bloom will be displayed, free of charge, from June 21 to October 2, 2011 at place De La Dauversière, between the Château Ramezay and place Jacques-Cartier. The presentation of this contemporary art installation is made possible thanks to the financial participation of Ville-Marie, the SDC Vieux-Montréal and Desjardins.

THE FIR IS A TREE

The Fir is a Tree is an unconventional creation of the graphic design collective Rita, presented in collaboration with the Reford Gardens as part of the Métis-sur-Montréal event. Rita reinterprets the reforestation theme in an amazing and unique way by introducing the "little tree" car air freshener into our environment. 

The iconic pine tree is also a reference to the place De La Dauversière’s history, which has been a parking lot from 1956 to 1997. 

The Fir is a Tree will be displayed, free of charge, from June 21 to October 2, 2011 at place De La Dauversière, between the Château Ramezay and place Jacques-Cartier. The presentation of this contemporary art installation is made possible thanks to the financial participation of Ville-Marie, the SDC Vieux-Montréal and the Reford Gardens.

FROM "Q1" TO "JE ME SOUVIENS", A HISTORY OF LICENCE PLATES IN QUÉBEC

Sharing the road has greatly evolved since the advent of the car. Throughout the years, horse-drawn carriages gave way to the car causing a rapid change in social behavior and pushing the limits of distance and accessibility. Motoring, winter gear, road signs, laws ... Let the exhibition drive you through more than 100 years of license plate history!

You will be stricken by certain aspects of automotive history. Did you know that some Quebec license plates offered very peculiar privileges? Indeed, the numbered license plates followed by a "B" were issued to friends of Prime Minister Duplessis ... granting them immunity to traffic tickets! 

Do not miss the famous De Dion-Bouton of Mr Ucal-Henri Dandurand, the first car to have been registered in Quebec in 1906. At the time, the owner of a motor vehicle would inscribe his registration number on his vehicle himself. Thus, the Q1 number assigned to the De Dion-Bouton of Mr. Dandurand was painted directly onto the vehicle. 

Presented from June 6 to June 26, 2011.

LET'S EAT! THE TRADITIONAL FOOD OF QUÉBEC

Steak, corn, potatoes... While digging in a traditional shepherd’s pie, have you ever noticed that these three ingredients recall the different cultures which forged the first eating habits in Québec? Indeed, corn can be attributed to the First Nations, and beef, to the French colonists, while potatoes remind us of the British presence. 

In the last few years, historians have made surprising discoveries about eating habits of the past and how they have influenced our present day food-heritage. 

For example, did you know that...

• The famous sugar shack meal comes straight out of British kitchens;
• In New France, Canadians could eat beaver meat during Lent... with the benediction of the Church; 
• Wine was consumed for therapeutic purposes; 
• In the 17^th and 18^th centuries, Canadians had better diets than did the French.

"Let’s Eat!" explores different facets of the culinary culture in Québec, from the arrival of the first colonists to the modern days. Not only will this exhibit reveal what was served in 17th century plate-bowls or 19th century china saucers, but it will also show food preservation methods, meal preparation, the impact of agricultural techniques on food, dining etiquette and customs, food stuff importations, as well as the more recent contributions of newcomers to the Québécois culinary repertoire.  

More than one hundred artefacts will show the evolution of consumption habits, from the cider press and the toothpick case, to the ginger beer bottle, the chocolate maker, and even Schwartz’s own smoked meat knife! 

"Let’s Eat!" is a great opportunity to test your knowledge of so-called traditional meals and discover the cultural influences which have shaped our culinary repertoire through the centuries. 

Who would have thought your spoon could stir up to much history? 

"À table en Nouvelle-France", a new book published by Septentrion and written by the historian Yvon Desloges, associate researcher for the exhibition, will be available at the Museum's boutique. 

Presented from November 10, 2009 to April 27, 2011.

THE GREAT BIKE TOUR, THE PENNY FARTHING TO THE BIXI...

The Château Ramezay is proud to present a new exhibition “The Great Bike Tour” in conjunction with the festivities surrounding the 25th anniversary of the “Tour de l’Île de Montréal. From May 5 to September 7, 2009, any bicycle enthusiasts will enjoy discovering the many facets of the bike, from the Penny Farthing to the BIXI. 

Each year amateur cyclists devour countless kilometers of bicycle trails. Enthusiasm for biking which is one of Canadians favourite pastimes dates back to more than a century ago. The bike rapidly became popular ever since it’s arrival on Montréal’s horizon around 1860. 

More economical than a horse, or automobile, and more satisfying than public transport, with the ever growing number of citizens taking to the bike, Montréal now hosts a substantial network of bicycle trails. With the sea of cyclists who descend on the city each year for the “Tour de l’Île”, the popularity of the bike is no longer an issue. 

Counting upwards to 30,000 participants, entering the event, this constitutes the largest cycling event of the continent, making Montréal the biking metropolis of North America.This exhibition explains the importance of biking in the lives of North Americans. Be it transport, or sport, our notion of the bike has always been associated with pleasure. From the penny farthing, unicycle, and even a bright red tricycle which will be loved by many children, to biking permits, license plates, and repair tools for bike maintenance, all from the 19th century, more than sixty objects witness the many different aspects of biking. 

Presented from May 5 to September 7, 2009.

LACE UP, CANADA’S PASSION FOR SKATING

All  sports, history, and winter enthusiasts will enjoy  stepping back into time, to discover the evolution of this age old activity which is as much a national sport  as it is ingrained in our culture. 

The exhibit, including, hockey, figure skating and speed skating, delves into the European origins of this activity, and shows to what extent skating rapidly  spread throughout our society. Through a network of clubs, and organizations, to building skating rinks and developing carnivals and festivals, skating was heartily embraced. 

To illustrate one of winter’s great pleasures more than thirty artefacts are on display, including a great  collection of antique skates, beautiful costumes, and precious medals each dedicated to skating. 

Lace Up is a travelling exhibition created in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Civilization. 

Presented from November 7, 2008 to March 29, 2009.

HERE BE MONSTERS, WHEN THE SEA SPAWNS LEGENDS... 

The love-hate relationship between people and the sea, from the 15th century to today, is the fascinating subject of the exhibition Here be Monsters presented by the Château Ramezay, presented as a contribution to the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of the first French colony in the New World. 

Adapted from an exhibition created by La Corderie Royale- Centre international de la Mer in Rochefort, France, “Here be Monsters” takes you on a voyage that plumbs the depths of human imagination and the deep blue sea. To early explorers, the sea was a world without landmarks, inhabited by   monsters, threatening tempest, sickness and piracy. 

As the first obstacle to be overcome when venturing to settle in the Americas, the sea put its stamp on the cultural identity of Quebec. From the shores of Europe to the barks of the St. Lawrence, maps, charts, travel accounts, cutlass, figurehead and much else reveal the secrets of this hostile universe. 

Presented from May 21 to October 19, 2008. 

DE L'UTILE À L'AGRÉABLE... LES JARDINS EN NOUVELLE-FRANCE

A captivating, attractive and fascinating exhibition. 

The Château Ramezay was proud to present the travelling exhibition De l'utile à l'agréable... les jardins en Nouvelle-France, that takes visitors through the orchards and gardens of the peasants and nobles, clergymen and laymen of New France. 

Various themes are explored through reproductions of paintings, maps, plans, woodcuts, records and official documents. 

Presented from December 2002 to December 2007.