Monument-National facts for kids
The Monument-National is a famous Canadian theatre in Montreal, Quebec. You can find it at 1182 Saint Laurent Boulevard. This theatre is quite large, with space for over 1,600 people. It was built between 1891 and 1894. When it first opened, it was the main cultural spot for the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society, a group that promotes French-Canadian culture.
The building was designed by three architects: Maurice Perrault, Albert Mesnard, and Joseph Venne. They used a style called Renaissance Revival, which looks back to the art and architecture of the Renaissance period. The theatre was also built with a steel frame, which was a very new and modern way to construct buildings back then!
A Home for Yiddish Theatre
The Monument-National has a rich history, especially with Yiddish theatre. The very first Yiddish play was performed here in 1896. This happened in a part of the theatre now called the Ludger-Duvernay room.
The theatre was a really important place in Montreal's historic Jewish quarter. Many touring and local Yiddish theatre groups performed here. This continued for many years, right up until the 1940s.
Modern Life of the Theatre
The Monument-National is recognized as a very important building. In 1976, the Quebec government declared it a historic monument. Later, in 1985, it was named a National Historic Site of Canada. This means it's a place of national importance.
A big project to restore the theatre was finished in June 1993. This was just in time for the theatre's 100th birthday celebration! Since 1971, the National Theatre School of Canada has owned the Monument-National. Today, it's where the students of the school put on their plays and performances.
