Saint-Anne Seignorial Estate facts for kids

The Saint-Anne Seignorial Estate (also known as Domaine seigneurial Sainte-Anne) is a very old and important property in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Perade, Quebec, Canada. It sits on the north side of the Saint Lawrence River in a region called Mauricie. This estate is special because it has the remains of an old manor house, which was like a big, fancy home for a lord or important family long ago. In 2010, the town of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Perade officially named it a Heritage Site. This means it's a protected place because of its history and cultural value.

What is the Saint-Anne Seignorial Estate?

The Saint-Anne Seignorial Estate is a historic property that once belonged to a "seigneur," which was a type of lord in New France (old Quebec). These seigneurs were given large pieces of land by the King of France. They would then divide the land and rent it to farmers. The estate includes the ruins of the original manor house, which was the main building where the seigneur and their family lived. Even though it's in ruins, it helps us imagine what life was like hundreds of years ago.

Famous People Who Lived Here

Since 2003, the estate has a special exhibit called "When the story is told..." (Quand l'histoire se raconte...). This exhibit shares the exciting stories of three important people who once lived or spent time at the Domaine seigneurial:

• Madeleine de Verchères: She was a brave young girl who became a hero. When she was just 14 years old, she defended Fort Verchères from an attack by the Iroquois in 1692. Her courage is still remembered today.
• Elizabeth Hale: She was a talented artist. She was also the wife of John Hale, who was an important politician in Canada's history. Elizabeth Hale created many beautiful drawings and paintings of the landscapes and people of Quebec.
• Honoré Mercier: He was a very important leader in Quebec. He served as the Premier of Quebec from 1887 to 1891. The Premier is like the head of the government for the province. Mercier worked to protect the rights and culture of French-speaking people in Quebec.

Keeping History Alive

Since 1995, a group called the "Society of Madeleine Verchères site" (Société du site Madeleine de Verchères) has been in charge of the Saint-Anne Seignorial Estate. Their main job is to take care of this historical place. They work to protect it, manage it, and make sure people can visit and learn from it. They also want to share its stories with everyone. Every summer, they even host a temporary art show in the main hall of the estate, bringing new art to this historic setting.