September - Muséoparc Vanier Museopark

In this issue…
Issue no 3, Fall 2011
I Remember… Léo Paquette
by Christian Marcoux
A Word from Diane Doré, Who Chairs our Board of Directors
Erratum - Matching of Cities
in 1984: Vanier (Quebec) and
Vanier (Ontario)
A challenging period is coming for the Vanier Museopark! Thanks to the commitment of
This event is an opportunity for measuring the progress made since its establishment.
The Volunteer of the Equinox
Indeed, the Museopark has flourished in such a way that we are now able to find within
The Cabinet of Curiosities
Do you know that...
many people, the Museopark will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Tuesday, October 11.
its walls an exhibition that pays homage to our roots by emphasizing our community’s
heritage, the Quartier Vanier, as well as Ontario’s Francophones.
As part of its mission, the Museopark also highlights the Richelieu Park by offering
St. Anne’s Church
educational and fun activities for young and old alike. I invite you to take a look at the
Unity is Strength! by Suzanne
Labelle-Martin
Finally, I would like to thank our many volunteers who believe in the Museopark’s
Everybody Was Talking
About… Thérèse Frère
Perspectives Vanier Begins
its Ninth Year
Books in the
Muséoboutique... by Marielle
Bourdages
Fall Programming
Crossword Puzzle
Museopark’s fall programming; it has something for the whole family!
mission. Their commitment means that the Museopark can look forward to a bright
future.
A Word From the Executive Director, Rachel Crête
After a busy summer, the Muséoparc Vanier Museopark begins the fall with renewed
educational programs and some exciting public programming. In addition, a new
strategic plan for the years 2011-16 was adopted in August. It will be implemented in
the coming year to enable the Museopark to continue its development.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Caroline Cantin, our new
Communications Officer. Caroline has been with us since the beginning of August.
Comments?
Contact the newsletter team
at 613-842-9871 or at
communication@museoparc.ca
Follow the Museopark on
Facebook !
The Muséoparc Vanier Museopark is first and foremost your museum. Give us your
feedback regarding any issues! Finally, the Museopark has recently joined Facebook, so
come and discover your museum in another way!
I remember… Léo Paquette
By Christian Marcoux
The first thing that must be mentioned about Léo Paquette
to meet and network with everyone in Vanier. He was even
an ambassador in our children’s schools.
Léo Paquette’s Legacy
is the date of his birth, June 27, 1936 and, unfortunately,
Now it is our turn, as Léo would have appreciated, to take
the date of his death, August 21, 2011. Léo was one of the
over and proudly carry the torch that he passed on. We
first Perspectives Vanier journalists in January 2004. He
should note the small details of our lives in order to share
launched the most popular column in the newspaper: “Why
them some day with our contemporaries.
my street’s name is…”
After the love he had for his wife, Pierrette Charbonneau,
It may seem odd to begin an article with a date of birth
and his children Daniel, Sylvain, Pierre, Celine, and Lucy, it
and a date of death, but not in this case. Léo was
was the love of history that inspired Léo Paquette the
passionate about history, and, in particular, the history of
most. If his health had allowed him to write one last article,
Vanier. Like a fish in water, he went from one date to
I am sure that he would have appreciated the privilege that
another, remembering every detail about the people of
the Museopark has just extended to me: writing in the
Vanier and their daily life.
Artifact. Long life the Museopark, long life the Artifact... bye
He wrote many books : Paroisse Saint-Charles, 1992; Vanier
Léo.
(Eastview) au temps du premier maire : Camille Gladu
(1913-1921), 1992; Vanier (Eastview) au temps des maires :
Arthur Desrosiers (1922 – 1924-1927) Arthur Guilbault
(1923), 1998; Vanier (Eastview) au temps des maires : G.H.A.
Collins (1928-1929-1930),
David Langelier (1931-1932),
2001, and his last one Hector Hotte, 2006.
It is definitely when he was a police officer for the city of
Eastview, and later for Vanier, that Léo Paquette was able
Leo Paquette at a conference he gave on the mayor Donat
Grandmaître in June 2010 at the Museopark.
Erratum: Matching Cities in 1984: Vanier (Quebec) and Vanier (Ontario) Canada
By Lorraine M. M. Jeansonne
The two cities were twinned in 1984 as part of the celebrations of Ontario’s Bicentennial. Each city was surrounded by a
capital, Quebec and Ottawa. Each city hosted tradespeople on its territory, and the area of each municipal territory was
limited to less than three square kilometres.
In the previous issue of the Artefact (June 2011), a photograph showed Quebec Vanier’s delegation dressed as in the French
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era (before the 19 century). You will find below a series of photographs of (Ontario) Vanier people dressed as in the 19
century in France, representing 16 regions of France.
Vanier (Quebec)
Vanier City Council and escort in traditional French costumes
of the 19th century (1836 to 1906).
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The Volunteer of the Equinox: Robert Serré
By Janick Aubin-Robert
The Museopark’s volunteers are very important for the daily life of the museum. They are ready
to help us at every level, every day. In this edition, the Museopark’s employees would like to
thank one volunteer in particular, Robert Serré.
Robert is a faithful volunteer that has always been involved in his community. My first meeting
with him was during the launch of Jean Yves Pelletier’s book, translated by Robert. I learned
during this evening that this dynamic man was a translator, an historian and the Gloucester
Historical Society’s president. I remember asking myself where he takes his energy for doing so
many things at the same time. I learned shortly after that his passion for history didn’t stop
there. Robert was also part of the Museopark’s research and communications committees. He
was also a well-known speaker during our monthly talks and helped us with translations.
I’ve been working at the Museopark for the past two years and Robert is still there. He is still
part of the research and communications committees, he still gives lectures and he always
helps us with translation. We can always count on him, especially for helping us at the last
minute for translation! We want to thank you Robert for your patience, your suggestions and
your support towards the Museopark and its employees.
The Cabinet of Curiosities
Taking his Daily Ration
During the World War II, resources were limited. Indeed, it was necessary to
ensure the soldiers’ supplies, while having enough food for the Canadian
population. The government implemented a rationing system so that the
wealthy would not be the only ones who could get commodities. Each person
had a certain amount of food he/she could get. There were ration tickets for
almost everything, from bread to meat. There were even ration coupons for
beer! During the War, even the right to have a nip was rationed.
Do you know that…
The Attempted Expansion of Eastview in 1949
In 1949, Eastview’s City Council filed a motion to enlarge its territory. This motion, which was submitted to the Ontario
government, sought to incorporate part of Gloucester Township just south of McArthur. After having studied the case, the
government decided to allocate this area to the city of Ottawa instead of Eastview. This decision of the Ontario government
meant that Eastview was completely surrounded by the city of Ottawa. It is for this reason that, from 1949 until
amalgamation with Ottawa in 2001, the city of Vanier kept the same area, one square mile.
St. Anne’s Church
By Janick Aubin-Robert
Having served for over 100 years, St. Anne’s Church closed
St. Anne. The dispersal of French people throughout the
its doors after a final mass, on August 7, by Archbishop
city of Ottawa and the decline of religious practice led to
Terrence Prendergast. This imposing church built in 1873
the closure of St. Anne in August, but the church of St.
was a French bastion of Lower-Town for many years.
Charles in Vanier was also closed last fall. The future
In 1872, Mgr Bruno Guigues, bishop of Ottawa, decided to
split the cathedral-parish in two in order to better serve the
growing French catholic population. The construction of St.
remains uncertain for St. Anne, but we can take comfort in
the possibility that it may serve as a place of worship for
another congregation.
Anne’s Church began in April 1873. In the fall of 1873,
Father Jean-Baptiste-Théodore Alleau was appointed as
first pastor and it was on November 30, 1873 that the
church was consecrated. This church, designated a heritage
building because of its organ, built by Casavant Brothers of
Saint-Hyacinthe and inaugurated in the parish on July 23,
1914, has survived several renovation projects over the
years. One of these projects concerned the renovation of
the church’s vault, which collapsed in April 2009. The
incident forced the closure of the church for a year. Patro,
welcoming some celebrations, allowed the parish to
survive.
The reopening of the church took place in the fall of 2010.
Unfortunately, the size of the French congregation had
diminished drastically, so the Archdiocese decided to close
St. Anne’s Church
Unity is Strength!
By Suzanne Labelle-Martin
Linked by common interests such as the preservation and dissemination of the Franco-Ontarian cultural heritage, the Société
franco-ontarienne d’histoire et de généalogie and the Regroupement des organismes du patrimoine franco-ontarien,
commonly known as SFOHG and ROPFO, were joined together last May as a single organization, now called the Réseau du
patrimoine franco-ontarien.
This initiative has already shown positive results since Le Chaînon, Ontario’s single heritage magazine supported by members
of SFOHG, made ROPFO’s various components an offer to join the magazine. Today, its reputation for excellence extends
beyond our borders!
On the basis of this experience, both organisms hope, through their initiative, to promote greater opportunities and, with the
lightning development of virtual communication, increase their ability to preserve the cultural heritage of Franco-Ontarians.
Now under one virtual site www.rpfo.ca, we find genealogical research, general and local history, heritage, projects, partners,
useful links and publications, notably Le Chaînon. This wealth of information is accessible to anyone who, for a small sum, is
willing to support the survival and dissemination of our collective heritage. The RPFO warmly invites you to become a member
of the only network dedicated to the preservation of our heritage. In this way, you will ensure its continuity in Francophone
Ontario.
Everybody Was Talking About… Thérèse Frère
By Yanick Labossière
Few artists have the talent to represent the beauty of a rural
landscape or the warmth of an old urban neighbourhood. Thérèse
Frère is part of this select group of artists. Her paintbrushes have
the power to touch the heart of people, overwhelmed by
memories of the past when they look at her artwork.
Thérèse Frère was born on October 14, 1924, in St. Philibert (Quebec). At a very young age, she took an interest in art. She even
won the first prize in arts when she graduated from the École Normale Laval de Mérici (Quebec), in 1945. After a busy life as a
teacher, secretary and mother, she returned to her paintbrushes on a full-time basis in the mid-1970s and, by extension,
devoted herself entirely to her art.
She undertook further arts training at the Ottawa School of Art and at the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts. It was during this
period that she began to focus on pastel as a primary medium.
By addressing the contrasting colors of different parts of Canada, Thérèse Frère uses pastel, oil and watercolour to help us
discover Canadian rural landscapes. Her paintings show many scenes of Ottawa, Newfoundland and the former City of Vanier’s
landscapes. It is interesting to note that, still today, Mrs. Frère is involved in the committee of Vanier’s mural paintings and the
advisory committee for the Conservation of the architecture of Vanier.
Since 1981, she has exhibited her works at numerous individual and collective art shows. Through these exhibitions, many
people have known and appreciated Thérèse Frère’s works. Thérèse Frère has also received several awards over the years for
her artistic achievements.
On September 22, as part of its series of talks, the Vanier Museopark highlighted Thérèse Frère’s artistic career. This event took
place in the reception hall of the Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre.
Jean-Claude Bergeron and Michel Prévost, who were hosting the talk,
allowed the audience to enter Mrs. Frère’s world in a particular way. In
addition, some of her original works of art, as well as greeting card
replicas of her art, were on sales during that event.
First image : Thérèse Frère, « Un coin de rencontre (Hôtel de
ville) », Pastel, 14X18.
Second image : Thérèse Frère, « Retour au foyer (StCharles) », Pastel, 14X18.
Perspectives Vanier Begins its Ninth Year
By the Artefact team
Perspectives Vanier begins its ninth year with the November-December 2011 edition,
which will be distributed to Vanier’s 8000 households. It was back in 2002, around the
counter in the late René Doré’s shop, Hannah Confectionery, that the idea of launching
a new community paper in Vanier was born. Several meetings followed between René,
AJ Plant, Léo Lavergne and Irene Franklin.
Thanks to the surplus accumulated by Vanier’s former elected representatives, it was
possible to make this dream a reality. The Honorable Madeleine Meilleur, then
municipal councillor for Rideau-Vanier, established a legacy fund which has since
helped create and sustain such institutions as PubliArt Vanier, the Muséoparc Vanier
Museopark, Montfort Hospital, the Centre Richelieu-Vanier, the Centre Pauline-Charron,
the Centre des services communautaires Vanier and Perspectives Vanier.
Over the past eight years, Perspectives Vanier has relied on the following volunteers
First page in December 2003
within the community, who have held positions on the Board of Directors: Ginette
Gratton, Robert (Bob) Neufeld, the late Gilles Caron, Irene Franklin, AJ Plant, Léo Lavergne, Gilles Ladouceur, Alain
Dagenais, Philippe Cléroux, Pauline Tessier-Chabot, Gordon Keith, Thérèse Goneau, Rachel Crête, Claudette Boyer and
Jeannine Demers-Ethier who can sell you ads at 613 746-4339.
If you have any suggestions or comments, please contact Christian Marcoux, journalist, at 613 746-4339.
Books in the Muséoboutique… by Marielle Bourdages, Volunteer at the Museopark
To introduce children to the traditional feast of St. Catherine, Lisette Brochu wrote a little book beautifully illustrated by
Christian Quesnel. Marguerite Bourgeoys started this tradition of making and tasting taffy around 1658, in Ville-Marie (later
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Montréal). This tradition lasted until the mid-20 century, but today it is almost lost. The author takes this opportunity to talk
about the life of both Marguerite Bourgeoys and St. Catherine. She mentions other feasts that come from different countries
and related to other religions. In addition, she shares with the reader a recipe that should prove delicious. Her style is brief,
informative and suitable for children. Very interesting reading!
Lisette Brochu and Christian Quesnel, Florence et la Sainte-Catherine,
Éditions Vermillon, 34 pages ($10.00)
Other titles by the same author sold in the museoboutique: Camille et la fête
de l’Action de grâce, La princesse Isabelle et le prince Bruno and Ottawa,
Une nouvelle Légende.
Please share your ideas about the history of Vanier, the
Francophone heritage of Ottawa or the Richelieu Forest at
info@museoparc.ca.
Crossword Puzzle
Across
2. Name of a river frequented by explorers
7. Many of his illustrations depicted the first peoples and explorers of the continent
8. Aboriginal word meaning “big river”, other name for Ottawa River
9. He was the mayor when Eastview became Vanier
10. Eastview Fire Chief from 1918 to 1959
Down
1. Name of the first public school in Janeville
3. Native of Vanier, famous columnist of Le Droit
4. Name of Eastview’s first Police Chief
5. Famous hockey player born in Vanier
6. Name of the Archbishop of Algiers, founder of the White Fathers