Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site

2011 Program

Daily Activities

When the masters are away, the servants play!
This parody of the bourgeois world highlights the importance of the servants at the service of high society members such as the Cartier family. While the bourgeois are on vacation in the country, the servants are the masters of the premises. Come and have fun with them! This activity is offered everyday, from June 22 to September 4. Contact us for daily schedules.

Special Events

April 2, 3, 9, 11, 16 and 17 – Voisinage et commérages
Join a theatrical tour that revives Old Montréal history by casting a player as a journalist tracking down a story. The action unfolds in 1967, the year of the Expo, which was a time of great change for Montréal. The tour will take you to see three history museums and uncover the pivotal events that changed the City of Montréal. The 90-minute tour, offered in French language, is presented in collaboration with the Musée Marguerite-Bourgeoys and the Musée du Château Ramezay. Reservations required: 514 861-3708

May 29 – Montreal Museum Day –
Free Admission (www.museesmontreal.org)
Take the bus tour of Old Montréal's museums on Museum Day and discover the lavish Victorian house of Sir George-Étienne Cartier, one of the Canadian Fathers of Confederation. Travel back in time to 1860 and meet members of the Montréal bourgeoisie and their domestic servants, all portrayed by costumed guides.

July 1 – Canada Day – Free admission
Celebrate the 144th anniversary of Canadian Confederation at the Cartier home. Our guides will explain the origins and meaning of Canada's popular symbols. At 1 p.m., cakes will be served in the courtyard of the Cartier house.

July 16 – Parks Day – Free admission
From 2011 to 2012, Canada will commemorate the centennial of a world premiere: the creation of the first national parks service. Come celebrate and admire a dance demonstration. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

August 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 – Archaeology month: Spin the bottle at the Cartier Could you identify the different types of bottles of the time? Reservations required. 1:30 pm and 3 p.m.

September 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 – Le ciel est bleu, l'enfer est rouge
The house will once again host the play which earned the Parks Canada Heritage Presentation award of excellence in 2004. The fictitious Mr. And Mrs. Parent are assigned the task of organizing the upcoming electoral campaign for Cartier, leader of the Parti Bleu. The protagonists portray the electoral twists and turns of the period with plenty of laughs thrown in. Reservations required. 7 p.m.

September 24-25 and October 8-9 – Two Survivors (www.operationpatrimoine.com)
Take part in the Montréal Architectural Heritage Campaign and uncover the history and architecture of two houses—those of Sir George-Étienne Cartier and Louis-Joseph Papineau. Both homes have undergone impressive restorations and are situated in a neighbourhood that has known sweeping transformations. Guided tours are given from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Reservations required.

October 1^st from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Memories on Glass
In the yard of the Cartier family’s Victorian residence, M. René Bolduc, photographer, will demonstrate shooting and developing negatives with the wet collodion method, a process dating back more than 150 years.

This fusion of optics, chemistry, and art produces photographs on glass right before your eyes. This occasion provides a unique opportunity to observe this process used by photographers of the mid-19th century. The bourgeoisie of the period were among the first people to benefit from the invention of photography.

October 2 - Conference with Micheline Lachance
Specially designed for the Journées de la culture. Free

October 28-29 and November 4-5 – A Home in the Middle of the Night
Come after sunset to explore the Victorian home of Sir George-Étienne Cartier. The night visit was introduced last year and is back by popular demand. Evening tours start at 7 p.m. Reservations required.

"A Victorian Christmas" Exhibition 23rd Edition
The Holiday Magic
The exhibition will be presented from November 16 to December 23, 2011, from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy the many activities offered for the whole family for the 23rd edition of "A Victorian Christmas".

November 16 to December 23 – Festive Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., guides in period costume enliven the house with their festive cheer. It's a great opportunity to meet people and exchange Christmas stories while exploring the origins and traditions of the holiday. Join with family or friends to kick off the holiday season with a festive tour. Come rediscover Canada's favourite holiday and let the sounds and smells of Christmas envelop you at the Cartier home.

November 27 and December 4, 11 and 18 – Storytelling Matinee,
The Night Before Christmas
Attend a dramatized presentation of Clément Clark Moore's ever popular tale,The Night Before Christmas. The storyteller interprets the story while touring the lovely Victorian house. This activity is offered at 11:30 a.m.

November 26 and December 3, 10 and 17 –
At the Christmas Table
Take a seat at the Cartier table and unravel the mysteries of a Victorian menu. Discover the origin of certain traditional holiday dishes and some basic rules of entertaining. This presentation on the art of entertaining takes place amidst Christmas décor at 11 a.m.

To receive more information about these activities or to make a reservation,
call 514 283-2282.