ONLINE AND IN-PERSON LECTURES

PIONEERING WOMEN OF MONTREAL (1642 - 1771)

Come meet truly exceptional women who participated in the founding, survival and influence of Ville Marie, the former French colony now known as Montreal.

Among others, you will meet: Jeanne Mance,
nurse and co-founder of the city, and Marguerite
Bourgeoys, the colony’s first teacher, matchmaker and founder of the first truly Canadian religious order. Without these strong, avant-garde trail-blazing visionaries, the metropolis of Montreal might not have become what it is today.

Zoom videoconferencing platform required.
PowerPoint presentation
Approx. 1 hour + 30-min. question period

LITTLE BURGUNDY: RAILROADS, JAZZ AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT EXPERIMENT

DOCUMENTARY VIDEO WITH LIVE COMMENTARY

Discover a little-known but vibrant neighbourhood in the Southwest borough of Montreal.

For over 100 years, industrialization along the nearby canal shaped the area, where the Black community’s contributions are still felt today. A massive development project in the 1960s forever transformed The Berg, which is now making a comeback with top-rated restaurants, a vintage theatre, shops, an art-deco market, and so much more.

Zoom videoconferencing platform required.
Video: approx. 60 minutes – Question period: approx. 30 minutes

William Notman

GREAT SCOTS!

IT'S THE GOLDEN SQUARE MILE!

Drummond, McGill, Redpath, McTavish, Stephen: well-known names found in a sector of downtown Montreal. This neighbourhood, today called the Golden Square Mile, became one of the most influential in North America.

But who exactly were these Scots, living in the shadow of Mount Royal, that held two thirds of the country’s wealth in the 19th century? And how is it that such phenomenal success was achieved by such a small community originating from such a small country in such a short period of time?

During this on-line lecture, you will discover
the story of these Scots who literally built Canada.

Zoom videoconferencing platform required.
PowerPoint presentation approx. 75 min +
30-min. question period.

THE MARRIAGEABLE GIRLS:

SPUNK, HEROISM AND SCANDAL (1634-1662)

Before the King’s Wards (Filles du Roy) other young women crossed the ocean leaving everything behind in search of a better life.

The contrast is striking: the Marriageable Girls had to fend for themselves and, for the most part, travelled alone. The King’s Wards on the other hand were taken in charge by the state and benefitted from an all-inclusive trip sponsored by Louis XIV and, over the years, a much better marketing campaign.

This is the fascinating but little-known story of courageous early pioneers of the 17th century

Zoom videoconferencing platform required.
PowerPoint presentation approx. 70 min or 90 min +
30-min discussion period.

Maison St-Gabriel et Site historique

Patrick Fore

THE HARP AND THE SHAMROCK:

The Two Faces of Montreal's Irish Community

Regardless of whether they left the Emerald Isle to seek their fortune or because of the Great Famine, Irish immigrants clearly left their mark here. Some became bishops, entrepreneurs, senators or industrialists, while others, living in abject poverty, simply tried to survive as labourers.

Although only a few streets separated their respective neighbourhoods, they were worlds apart.

Come make the acquaintance of these resourceful, endearing and resilient Irish as well as their invaluable contribution to our society.

Zoom videoconferencing platform required.
PowerPoint presentation approx. 70 min +
30-min discussion period

MAISONNEUVE NEIGHBOURHOOD:

From Riches to Rags and Back Again

Located in the East end of Montreal, Maisonneuve was dubbed, at the turn of the 20th century, the “Pittsburgh of Canada”.

Unlike other neighbourhoods, here the working class and the French-speaking upper class lived side by side.

Contrasts have always been the trademark of this neighbourhood, which today combines futuristic architecture, community gardens, a château, murals, mosaics and poetry.

Zoom videoconferencing platform required.
PowerPoint presentation approx. 60 min +
30-min discussion period

THE JEWS OF THE "MAIN"

It took centuries of anti-semitism and exclusion before Montreal Jews became aware that they truly belonged to a society like no other.

Not only did they form the “third solitude”, but they were sandwiched in between the other two along St. Laurent Blvd, the metropolis’s main street. It is there that they took up residence, worked relentlessly in the “schmata” industry and founded their own institutions, shops and places of worship.

Judaism in Quebec is distinct from that found in other parts of North America. Come discover, in the historic Jewish neighbourhood, all of its tenacity, warmth and originality. In addition, you’ll get acquainted with some real characters who played essential roles in the community.

Shalom!

Zoom videoconferencing platform required.
PowerPoint presentation approx. 75 min +
30-min discussion period

THE AVANT-GARDE

MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS

Her name is well known here at home: first educator of Montreal, instigator of the construction of Notre Dame de Bonsecours Chapel, matchmaking facilitator for the King’s Wards, founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame, and the first saint in Canadian history.

But what motivated this young woman to leave her native Champagne to embark on a perilous voyage to a distant land to serve God? Her ideas about education and a woman’s place in society were revolutionary for the 17th century. Where did she draw them from?

Come discover the fascinating story of this feminist ahead of her time who overcame numerous obstacles in her educational mission.

Zoom videoconferencing platform required.
PowerPoint presentation approx. 60 min +
30-min discussion period

McGILL: BEYOND THE CAMPUS

Over 170,000 students attend university in our city. International students–35,000 of them–seek out Montreal because of the quality of its universities but also for the quality of life: great food, low cost of living, safety, job opportunities, etc.

Now a world-class institution, sometimes nicknamed “Harvard of the North”, McGill does a good job of offering live campus tours, so this tour concentrates on what’s beyond, but within walking distance of the downtown campus. I’ll show you where to seek medical attention, ATMs, housing options, the nearest subway station, where to buy proper winter clothing, coffee shops, bookstores, etc.

Zoom videoconferencing platform required.
60 min + 30-min discussion period

Book a Tour

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ONLINE AND IN-PERSON LECTURES

PIONEERING WOMEN OF MONTREAL (1642 - 1771)

LITTLE BURGUNDY: RAILROADS, JAZZ AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT EXPERIMENT

DOCUMENTARY VIDEO WITH LIVE COMMENTARY

GREAT SCOTS!

IT'S THE GOLDEN SQUARE MILE!

THE MARRIAGEABLE GIRLS:

SPUNK, HEROISM AND SCANDAL (1634-1662)

THE HARP AND THE SHAMROCK:

The Two Faces of Montreal's Irish Community

MAISONNEUVE NEIGHBOURHOOD:

From Riches to Rags and Back Again

THE JEWS OF THE "MAIN"

THE AVANT-GARDE

MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS

McGILL: BEYOND THE CAMPUS

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