History Comes Alive at Château Ramezay

I can’t deny it… I love history! There is just something about seeing how we lived in the past that gives perspective into our lives in the present. Sadly, my husband and children do not share this passion. In Berlin when we pulled up to the Palace of Sanssouci, my husband pulled up in front of the palace and said “ok we saw it, where to next?”

When my son’s class was visiting Montreal’s portal into the past I had to join! The opportunity to see 500 years of history come to life at Château Ramezay was something I couldn’t miss. If you missed the recent Montreal Museums Day, here is our take on Château Ramezay.

I wondered if my son would appreciate the significance of being in the first building in Quebec to be classified a historic monument (1929) and also chosen as one of the 1001 Historic Sites You Must See Before You Die, Château Ramezay is located and easily accessible in old Montreal.

Built in 1705, the historical colonial home was built as a residence for the governor of Montreal.

The museum collection now encompasses over 30,000 items including 2,000 works of art, 2,000 photographs, 13,000 books, novels, magazines and newspapers and 4,000 items stores at Québec’s national library and archives in Old Montreal.

These items are displayed in their permanent and temporary exhibits where you can see historic paintings and everyday items to see how life was lived over the past three centuries.  Some of the things that stood out the most were:

When we were there, the guides led us through the exhibits. The volunteer tour guides at Château Ramezay offer tours in both French and English and are very helpful and child-focused. This cam in handy with all the activities and educational information shared. Everything was portrayed in a way that made it relevant and interesting for children, so they didn’t even realize they were learning while they were having fun. (Note: the price of tours is included in the entrance fee, check their website for tour times).

 

Here were some of the permanent exhibits we saw.

LIFE AT THE CHÂTEAU

While in the barrel-vaulted kitchens of the Château, you feel like you have been transported back 250 years. Here, with hands-on activities you can see how early settlers ate, lived and how trading dominated life and how intertwined settlers’ lives were with Native People. While they didn’t make bread on our tour, which I was told was a favorite activity, we did learn about what kinds of food were available, candle making and household activities for survival like shearing sheep. One of my favorites were the lanterns, which I plan on trying to recreate with some empty maple syrup cans this summer!

 

HOCHELAGA, VILLE-MARIE, MONTRÉAL

Throughout the exhibition, you find unique artifacts allowing attendees to see how life was lived at the Château. We focused a lot of our tour on the early settlers. But you can take your time going through all the exhibits and you will find yourself immersed in history from the early settlers right up to the early 20th century.

One of the great things about the Château is how hands on they allow visitors to be. Children can beat on a hideskin drum, shake an aboriginal rattle, try on fur traders snowshoes or try out the original Baby Bjorn. You see history come to life for kids as they get to hold artifacts (or what is likely a fabrication of the original). This personal interaction with the past gives a glimpse into what was like for early settlers. As you walk through the mahogany lined walls you understand the grandeur, tradition and history the house holds.

When the children had the opportunity to write with a quill pen it was a bit surprising. I thought they would have replica pens for the children to use, but it was an actual feather that had the end cut off. They used ink to dry the items, just like they

MultiMedia Displays

We were not able to use the multimedia display, but I highly suggest it. It is fascinating to hear stories about the building, including historical figures recounting highlights of their lives at the Château. Some figures include Gilles Hocquart, Lady Whitworth-Aylmer and Benjamin Franklin who stayed at the Château while trying to convince Canada to join the American Revolution. Available in six languages, you understandthe significant role this building played as the city around it developed and grew.

It was cold when we visited. If you are visiting in warmer weather check out the Governor’s Garden, open June to October. The garden allows you to experience a typical colonial style garden of New France.

There is a multitude of temporary exhibits displayed throughout the year, so there is no bad time to visit.

Travel Tip:

Centrally located in Old Montreal, it’s a great outing if you are here in colder weather or looking for something to do on a rainy day.