Centre d'Interprétation de la Côte-de-Beaupré facts for kids
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| Established | 1984 |
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| Location | 7976 avenue Royale, Château-Richer, Quebec, Canada |
Aux Trois Couvents is a cool museum in Château-Richer, Quebec. It used to be called the Centre d'interprétation de la Côte-de-Beaupré (CICB). This museum has been officially recognized since 1996. It's also part of the Route de la Nouvelle-France, which is one of Quebec's oldest roads.
Contents
What the Museum Does
Aux Trois Couvents wants to teach everyone about the history, old buildings, and discoveries from the Beaupré Coast area. They have awesome exhibits and fun activities for learning.
Museum's Story
The museum started in 1984. It's a non-profit group, which means it doesn't try to make money. The government helps support it.
At first, the museum was in a place called the Moulin du Petit-Pré. In 2000, they bought an old convent building in Château-Richer. After fixing it up, the museum moved there. This new spot gave them four times more space!
Now, visitors can explore the area's geography, history, and culture. It's a great way to learn about the Beaupré Coast.
Cool Exhibits to See
Aux Trois Couvents has many exhibits. They help you understand the history of the region and the old convents in Château-Richer.
- Looking at the Beaupré Coast: This exhibit shows the social and historical journey of the region. It covers everything from early colonial times to today.
- Archaeological Site of the Old Convents: This part focuses on the three convents of Château-Richer. You can see things found during digs at the site.
- Following the Footsteps of Archaeology: Learn how archaeologists work. This exhibit explains the history of the museum's site and what modern archaeologists do.
- Olivier Le Tardif: Meet Olivier Le Tardif, who was the first "seigneur" (a kind of lord) of Château-Richer. He was very important in settling the area in the 1600s.
- The Classroom of Yesteryear: Step back in time to a classroom from the early 1900s. See how students learned back then!
The museum also has special activities and sometimes shows new, temporary exhibits.
History of the Château-Richer Convents
The museum building itself has a long and interesting history. It was once one of three convents built on this spot.
The First Convent
Before the first convent, there was a windmill here around 1655. In 1998, archaeologists found its old foundations!
In 1694, François de Laval ordered the first convent to be built. He was the first bishop of New France. This convent was a school for girls. Nuns from the Congregation of Notre-Dame, led by Marguerite Bourgeoys, taught the girls. Three nuns taught them reading, writing, math, history, geography, religion, and housework. Boys went to school at the local manor.
In 1759, British soldiers led by General James Wolfe attacked. They took what they needed and burned many buildings, including this first convent.
Second Convent
In 1829, a second convent was built on the same foundations. From 1830, it was again a school for girls. A different group of nuns, the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, taught here.
Even with many repairs, the building got old quickly. It had problems with floods and bad drainage. The dampness and dirty drinking water caused sickness among the teachers and students. So, in 1906, they tore it down to build a better one.
Third Convent
Construction on the third convent started in 1907. This new, bigger building had a chapel, a kitchen, a dormitory, and homes for the nuns. It was a school for both boys and girls this time!
Nuns from the Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help taught here first. Later, regular teachers took over. In 1972, a new, much bigger school was built nearby. The old convent then became a community center. In 2002, the building was given to the museum (CICB).
Images for kids
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This image shows what the old windmill might have looked like.
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A drawing of the first convent that was built here.
