© Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, photo: Michel Pinault
 

Activities and Lectures


 

Cultural Program 2023

 

La Guilde: Une aventure d'un océan à l'autre

Genevieve Duval, La Guilde
Monday, March 20 - 1:30 p.m.

From the first exhibitions in the early 20th century, to the many trips building relationships with different communities, to meeting James Houston, this conference celebrates the organization's and its founders' rich history. Did you know that La Guilde has archives dating back to before its foundation in 1906? Its permanent collection contains about 1,574 objects issued from Inuit, First Nations and Métis art, as well as Fine Crafts pieces; some of these will be presented at the conference.

The conference is meant to bring forward people, places, and events that laid the foundation and shaped the organization’s current mission. It shall also reflect upon the historical context which led to the first Inuit art sale at La Guilde in 1949. 

Biography

Genevieve Duval holds a Master's degree in Design Studies - Curatorial Stories from Parsons School of Design (The New School) in New York, NY and a certificate in Museology and Art Dissemination from UQAM. She has been working in the arts and culture field for over 10 years. As an assistant curator at BRIC, an art center based in Brooklyn, NY, Genevieve Duval was introduced to the creation of community-based exhibitions. She has been a project manager at The Guild since 2019.

 

Les grands enjeux environnementaux – réconcilier économie et écologie

Jean Lemire
Monday, March 27 - 1:30 p.m.

The lecture of the biologist revisits his atypical career path, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, and provides an overview of the global environmental situation

Biography

Jean Lemire has dedicated much of his life to scientific exploration aboard the oceanographic sailing vessel SEDNA IV. His films, television series, books, conferences and websites have received numerous awards and distinctions on the international scene. Appointed as Quebec's first emissary in 2017, he now frequents major international forums to help the environmental cause and represent Quebec.

 

 

 

La Collection Saladin d'Anglure: de la culture matérielle à l'organisation sociale traditionnelle inuit

Bernard Saladin d'Anglure and Caroline Hervé
Monday, April 3 - 1:30 p.m.

The Saladin d'Anglure Collection brings together 350 objects purchased in Nunavut and Nunavik by the anthropologist, professor emeritus at University of Laval, during the 1960s and 1970s. He bequeathed it to University of Laval in 2018. It contains objects from a wide variety (clothing, hunting and fishing, habitat, ceremonies, crafts and shamanism). Some of these objects are presented in the exhibition Inuit Worlds and others are mobilized for a virtual museum project in partnership with the village of Igloolik (Nunavut). These objects reflect the material Inuit culture of the 1960s and bear witness to the encounter between the Inuit and the anthropologist who shed light on their traditional social organisation, in particular their conception of gender.

Biographies

As Director of the Department of Anthropology at Laval University (1971-74), Bernard Saladin d'Anglure created a research centre on Arctic societies (GETIC), a journal All lectures will be held in French only Inuit Studies and international conferences on Inuit societies. His research focuses on shamanism, kinship and Inuit social organisation.

Caroline Hervé is a political anthropologist who has been working for the past fifteen years with the Inuit of Nunavik on the relationship between the state and the Inuit in the context of justice and health and social services

 

Further information

The conferences will be presented in French only. Each will also be followed by a Q&A and discussion period, where cookies, coffee and tea will be served.

With a limited number of seats available, priority will be given to those who confirm their attendance by email to the following address: communications@chateauramezay.qc.ca. We ask that you please arrive about 15 minutes early.

Lectures are free of attendance for Museum members and cost $5 for non-members.

 

2020 Lectures Program - Postponed Activities 


For its 125th anniversary, the Château Ramezay had planned a lectures series, which was to be held in the Winter of 2020. However, in accordance with the governmental health guidelines against the spread of the coronavirus, the lectures have been postponed to a later date. To be updated on our new schedule, please return to this page or follow us on our Facebook page.

Lectures are free of attendance for Museum members and cost $5 for non-members.

 

LES RÉBELLIONS PATRIOTES : QUESTIONS ET RÉPONSES

A lecture by Gilles Laporte (in French)
Monday, March 16, 2020 - 1:30 p.m. - POSTPONED

Prof. Laporte has fielded countless questions over the course of thirty years’ teaching about the Patriot Rebellions. These can be reduced to about a dozen that constantly crop up: Why did the Catholic clergy side with the British? What role did women play in this conflict? Was it a social or an ethnic struggle? Did the patriots want independence? Why did armed resistance die away so fast? What role did English-speakers play in this movement? What about the rebellion in Upper Canada?

Questions often reflect the preoccupations of our age: we probe the past to explain the predicaments of the present. Intended primarily for teachers, guides and an informed public, this lecture aims beyond providing simple answers to these questions, which it will indeed do, the better to encourage reflection and a desire to know more about these fascinating and inexhaustible events.

Biography 

Gilles Laporte is an historian specializing in the Patriot Rebellions of 1837-38, author of numerous publications including Patriotes et Loyaux (2004), Brève histoire des patriotes (2015) ou Fondements historiques du Québec (Prix du Ministre, 2015). In 2019, he published Infographies Québec, l’histoire du Québec en un coup d’oeil (Septentrion, 2018). He was one of the instigators of “la journée nationale des patriotes”, established in 2002. Named “Patriote de l’année” in 2011, Gilles Laporte was president of the Mouvement national des Québecois from 2013 to 2016. For the past twenty years, he has also administered a web site on the Patriot Rebellions, the largest private site dedicated to the history of Québec, www.1837.qc.ca. He currently teaches the history of Quebec at Cégep du Vieux-Montréal.

 

 

 

 

BUILDING A MONUMENT PARK: THE FIGHT FOR THE IRISH COMMEMORATIVE STONE

A lecture by Fergus Keyes
Presented by the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network
Monday, March 23, 2020 – 1:30 p.m. - POSTPONED

Lecture in English 

For 10 to 12 years, the Montreal Irish Monument Park Foundation has been dedicated to building a beautiful world-class memorial park around the Black Rock on the Montreal side of the Victoria Bridge to remember more than 6 000 Irish victims that died and were buried in the area in 1847.

Biography

Fergus Keyes, a founding director of the organization, will provide details on this journey from a concept to reality - and the many difficulties, as well as positive steps that have been encountered along the way. Keyes will discuss some of the main historical elements of this topic as well as bring the audience up to date on the latest developments, including the recent discovery of numerous human remains at the site.

 

 

 

 

 

Ramezay et la capitulation de Québec : Fatalité ou précipitation

Lecture by Sophie Imbeault and Dave Noël 

Monday, April 6 at 1:30 p.m. - POSTPONED

Description:

On September 13, 1759, the French army left its entrenchment at Beauport, having lost the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.  Jean-Baptiste-Nicolas-Roch de Ramzay, the King’s Lieutenant, became the sole leader of the Québec garrison.  Despite exhaustion and the lack of munitions and provisions, the garrison tried to resist the British, who were preparing the final phase of the siege of the city.

On September 15, Ramezay received a delegation of citizens who had come to request that he accept defeat. The same day, he held a Council of War on the matter and wrote Governor Vaudreuil, alerting him to the urgency of the situation:  Québec would be forced to capitulate if help did not arrive by the next day.  Vaudreuil immediately dispatched two convoys to Québec.

Ramezay then began discussions with the British to negotiate the surrender.  On September 18, at 8 a.m., he signed the articles of capitulation of the capital of New France.  French help arrived too late.  En route with the army on September 19, Vaudreuil and Lévis learned that Québec had capitulated.  The two men expressed their displeasure with Ramezay’s decision.

Questions still remain.  Who was responsible for the capitulation? Was it Vaudreuil, by ordering the army to retreat on September 13, or was it Ramezay, whose haste in the matter sealed the fate of the capital?

 Dave Noël and Sophie Imbeault will revisit the chronology of events for a better understanding of the capitulation, which was to have far-reaching effects on the course of the war in America.

Biographies

Sophie Imbeault is an historian and editor with Boréal.  She has published numerous books and articles on the War of the Conquest, including Les Tarieu de Lanaudière, une famille noble après la Conquête, 1760-1791

 (2004).

Davd Noël is a journalist with Le Devoir and a member of the press gallery of the Québec National Assembly. He has a Master’s in History from Université de Montréal and is the author of Montcalm, general américain (2018) and Lieux de pouvoir au Québec (Boréal, 2019).

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVISITER LA CONTREBANDE ET LE « COMMERCE ÉTRANGER » SOUS LE RÉGIME FRANÇAIS

Monday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m. - POSTPONED

More information to come. 

 

© Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, photo : Michel Pinault

Garden activities 

All summer long, our garden introduces visitors to the world of 18th century horticulture. Take a leisurely stroll through the vegetable garden, the ornamental garden and the orchard. It’s free!


On summer afternoons, Friends of the Governor’s Garden are happy to help you explore our splendid oasis. Do you recognize the medicinal herbs? Where are the pear trees? Or the artichoke plants? If you’ve got time, they’ll answer your questions and tell you their favourite historical gardening anecdotes. For families, they have games and challenges!

 

Volunteers are present depending on the weather and their availability but you can always take advantage of our audio guide in 6 languages and the self-guided tour pamphlet which you’ll find in the Garden.

 

© Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, photo : Daniel Boismenu

Anciennes troupes Militaires de Montréal

Will be back in summer 2023!

In Claude de Ramezay’s lifetime, Montréal was a military town. To help you get a feel for the period, the Anciennes troupes militaires de Montréal recreate the Compagnies franches de la Marine and the 78th Fraser Highlanders during the summer season. 

You can meet them at the Château Ramezay, watch them drill and even take photos with them!
 

 

© Château Ramezay – Historical Site and Museum of Montreal

SPRING BREAK

Baking Workshop will be back in march 2024 !

Take advantage of spring break to share a historical culinary experience with your children with our bread-baking workshop!  

Churn your butter, then add your starter and flour – your bread is starting to take shape! Next throw in some sugar that you have ground yourself and some dried fruit. This is a tasty snack to enjoy with your family!

No reservations are required, just show up at the Museum! 

Play the Museum Curator

This activity is offered all year long

The Château Ramezay invites children off all ages to discover its exhibition through a new lens! While browsing through the rooms, they will make discoveries and, like our curator, choose their favourite pieces to create their own exhibition on the history of Montreal. Making choices isn't easy, but it's a great way to learn while having fun!

Download and print your activity booklet before coming, or pick up a copy at the Museum's welcome desk upon arrival.

Recommendation: print back-to-back.

Download

 

Dress up in 18th-Century Fashion!

This activity is offered all year long

During your visit in the vaults, take a break in the family zone where there are many costumes for all ages to put on. Imagine yourself in the 18th-century Château and take a picture in front of New France landscape backdrops!

Further Information 

  • Prices: These activities are included in the price of your admission ticket to the Museum! 

  • Please note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. These activities are suitable for all ages. 

© Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, photo : Michel Pinault

Pick a Peck of Pumpkins

Will be back in fall 2023!

The Château invites you to discover the fascinating world of squash. 

Meet Reddy, the friendly red pumpkin! In a tour specially designed for families, Reddy and his friends will help you understand the characteristics and multiple uses of their many relatives. Download and print your game booklet before you visit the museum. Complete the activities to claim a small prize at the reception desk!

It’s outdoors and it’s free!

Download and print the 4 to 7 years old game booklet

Download and print the challenge for 8-12 year-olds

Hang your Christmas stocking at one of our fireplace mantels. © Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, photo : Michel Pinault

Holiday activities

Will be back in December 2023!

Around the Fireplace...Holiday Traditions

Usually starting the first weekend of December and until the end of the holiday school break, the Château Ramezay offers visitors a variety of fun during the festive season! Get the family together and re-acquaint yourselves with old-fashioned holiday traditions thanks to our entertaining exhibits and activities! Stock up on memories and stories you can share with family and friends!
 

Hang your Christmas stocking!

Only the Château Ramezay offers this activity! Children who hang a stocking by the fireplace can come back in the New Year to see what Santa has left them - but they’d better be good!

  • Stockings are on sale for $10 + tax.

Free Activity booklet

Children are offered a free activity booklet to help orient them at the Museum. The hunt for curiosities from the past, the quest for information tidbits, and discussion prompts will keep them busy throughout their visit.

"What was Christmas like when you were little, Mum?"

Travel Back in Time in Old Montréal!

Old Montréal is steeped in history.

Accompanied by our Voyageur, explore a past that is still visibly present today!

Choose any time of day or night to retrace the well-trodden paths of centuries ago. Each stop highlights historical figures and features interesting anecdotes.

You can download your self-guided tour especially created for the Festival d’Histoire de Montréal. (Available in French only).

Bon voyage!

Download here!

Greener Pastures in Old Montreal : Nature Hunt in the Historic Quarter booklet

© Château Ramezay – Historical Site and Museum of Montreal, illustration : Francis Back

Do you have an eye for nature?

Discover beautiful 18th century green corners and reflect on the environmental challenges of today!

 

Nature Hunt Booklet

 

 


Information 

education@chateauramezay.qc.ca

Back to activites