Château Ramezay facts for kids
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| Established | 1705 |
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| Location | 280, rue Notre-Dame Est Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1C5 |
| Type | museum and historic building |
| Official name: Château De Ramezay / India House National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 1949 |
| Type: | Monument historique classé |
| Designated: | 1929 |
The Château Ramezay is a special museum and historic building. You can find it on Notre-Dame Street in Old Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is right across from Montreal City Hall.
This amazing building was first built in 1705. It was the home of Claude de Ramezay, who was the governor of Montreal at that time. The Château was the very first building in Quebec to be called a historical monument. It is also the oldest private history museum in the province. In 1949, it was named a National Historic Sites of Canada.
Over many years, the Château had different owners and was used for various things. Ramezay's family sold the house to the Compagnie des Indes, a company that traded furs.
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A Historic Building's Many Lives
The Château Ramezay has a long and interesting history. It has served many important roles over the centuries.
Continental Army Headquarters
In 1775, the Château became a key place for the Continental Army. This army was fighting for American independence. They took control of Montreal during the American Revolutionary War. A famous American, Benjamin Franklin, even stayed there in 1776. He was trying to get people to join the American side in the war.
Home for British Governors
After the British took control, the Château was used as a governor's home again. This time, it was for the British governors. From 1775 until 1849, it was known as Government House. It was the official home for the governor when he was in Montreal. The governor also had other homes in Quebec City and Sorel.
University Building
Later, in 1878, the building opened its doors to students. It became the first home for the Université de Montréal's Faculty of Medicine. This was a big step for education in Montreal.
Becoming a Museum
In 1894, a group called the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Montreal bought the building. They turned it into a historical museum and a gallery for portraits. Sir Andrew Taylor, a famous architect, helped design changes to the Château in 1895.
Today, the museum has a huge collection of about 30,000 objects. Many of these items were given by people from Montreal. The collection includes old writings, books, coins, items from different cultures, and beautiful artworks. There are also paintings, prints, and old furniture.
From 1997 to 2002, the Château Ramezay was carefully restored. Both the inside and outside were made to look new again. A beautiful Governor's Garden was also created and opened in 2000. In 2003, the Château Ramezay Museum won a special award for its garden design. More than a million people have visited this amazing place!
See also
In Spanish: Castillo Ramezay para niños
