Established | March 1966 |
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Location | Pointe-Saint-Charles, Le Sud-Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
Coordinates | 45°28′33″N 73°33′22″W / 45.4759°N 73.5560°WCoordinates: 45°28′33″N 73°33′22″W / 45.4759°N 73.5560°W |
Type | Farm museum |
Visitors | 74,268 (2011) |
Director | Madeleine Juneau |
Public transit access | Charlevoix |
Website | |
Official name | Maison Saint-Gabriel National Historic Site of Canada |
Designated | 2007 |
Official name | Maison Saint-Gabriel |
Type | Historic monument |
Designated | 1965 |
The Maison Saint-Gabriel Museum is located in Montreal, Quebec and is dedicated to preserving the history, heritage and artifacts of the settlers of New France in the mid 17th century. The museum consists of a small farm, which has been administered for more than 300 years by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal, founded by Marguerite Bourgeoys in Montreal in 1658.
The site was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2007.
On October 31, 1662, Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve conceded land in Pointe-Saint-Charles to Marguerite Bourgeoys. The purpose of this land was to establish a farm that would feed the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal and support its work. In order to plant crops, mainly corn, wheat, and pumpkin, the land was cleared by engagés. These workers helped with the heavy work, and also helped protect the Congregation from any enemy attacks.
In 1668, Marguerite Bourgeoys bought land adjacent to hers, on which stood a house and a barn, from Francois Le Ber and Jeanne Tessier. Though it was never referred to as such at the time, this later become the Maison Saint-Gabriel. Initially, Sister Catherine Crolo was primarily in charge of the farm and the house: she planned the labour, the planting, and the harvest, as well as the transport of produce from the farm to the surrounding community. Sister Crolo was also responsible for overseeing the other Sisters in the community.
In its early years, in addition to providing subsistence for the Congregation, the farm served as a preparatory school. It housed young women destined for or residing in Montreal, as well as some Filles du Roi, who were recruited in France. These girls were brought to New France in order to provide wives for the numerous single men of the colony, and by so doing, to boost the settler population; this plan was in effect from 1663 to 1673.