Maison Saint-Gabriel facts for kids
 |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Established | March 1966 |
|---|---|
| Location | Pointe-Saint-Charles, Le Sud-Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Type | Farm museum |
| Visitors | 74,268 (2011) |
| Public transit access |   at Charlevoix at LaSalle station |
The Maison Saint-Gabriel Museum is a special place in Montreal, Quebec. It helps us learn about the lives of the first settlers in New France during the mid-1600s. The museum includes an old farm that has been looked after for over 300 years. It was cared for by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal, a group started by Marguerite Bourgeoys in 1658.
In 2007, this site was named a National Historic Site of Canada. This means it's a very important place in Canadian history.
Contents
How It Started
On October 31, 1662, a man named Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve gave land in Pointe-Saint-Charles to Marguerite Bourgeoys. The idea was to create a farm. This farm would grow food for the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame. It would also help them with their work.
Workers called engagés helped clear the land. They planted crops like corn, wheat, and pumpkin. These workers also helped protect the Sisters from any attacks.
In 1668, Marguerite Bourgeoys bought more land next to hers. This new land had a house and a barn. This house later became known as the Maison Saint-Gabriel. Sister Catherine Crolo was in charge of the farm and house at first. She planned the planting and harvesting. She also made sure the food got to the community.
A School for Young Women
In its early days, the farm did more than just grow food. It also served as a school for young women. Some of these young women were planning to join the Sisters. Others were Filles du Roi (King's Daughters).
The Filles du Roi were young women brought from France. They came to New France to marry the many single men in the colony. This plan helped the settler population grow between 1663 and 1673.
The House and Farm Over Time
In 1693, the old farmhouse burned down. But its strong foundation and creamery (a place for making dairy products) survived. These parts were used when the house was rebuilt in 1698. Skilled workers like masons and carpenters helped with the project.
The rebuilt house shows how buildings looked in the 1600s. It had two stories, a strong oak frame, and ash beams. These features make it a valuable historical building.
In the 1700s, the Sisters bought more land to make the farm bigger. They grew wheat and oats. They also built a chicken coop, a barn, and stables. By the 1800s, the farm animals helped produce butter, wool, soap, and leather.
Changes in the 1800s
Over the years, the house changed. The city of Montreal grew bigger and more industrial. More people moved to the city. Because of this, some of the farm's land was sold. This allowed new houses to be built.
The building of the railway and the opening of the Lachine Canal also brought fast growth to Pointe-Saint-Charles. From the 1850s, developers and the city slowly took over parts of the farm's land.
Becoming a Museum
In the early 1960s, people became very interested in turning the old house into a museum. This happened after celebrating 300 years since Marguerite Bourgeoys first owned the land. To make it a museum, a new building was needed for the Sisters who would run it. So, the Jeanne-LeBer house was built between 1963 and 1964.
The Maison Saint-Gabriel was officially named a historic monument in October 1965. Work began that same year to fix up the house. The goal was to make it look like it did when the Sisters lived there in the 1600s.
The kitchen, common room, basement, chapel, and bedrooms were all restored. They were filled with old objects. This helps visitors imagine what life was like back then.
During the summer, people dressed in old costumes show how things were made in the 1600s. The house and barn are surrounded by beautiful gardens. The Glade and Poetry Path have native plants. The Farmhouse Gardens show what a 17th-century vegetable garden looked like. There's also a garden honoring the women of the Congregation of Notre Dame.
What You Can See (Collections)
The Maison Saint-Gabriel museum has over 15,000 old items. The 17th-century house and 18th-century barn hold a collection that helps show what rural life was like in New France. Some objects are original, while others are copies based on old drawings.
The collection includes things like old lamps, religious clothes, furniture, books, and art. There are also tools for farming, building, and trading.
New Additions
On November 1, 2010, the Jeanne-Leber house became part of the museum. It is now called the Catherine-Crolo pavilion. This building has a gift shop and a tea room with a terrace. It also has a place for visitors to enter and a room for cultural events.
The governments of Canada and Quebec helped pay for this expansion. They support the museum because it helps teach people about the history of Marguerite Bourgeoys and the Sisters.
Museum Connections
The museum works with other groups like the CMA, the CHIN, and the Virtual Museum of Canada.
