NEW VIRTUAL EXHIBIT
FREE ON THE INTERNET

From the Warpath to the Plains of Abraham
http://1759.ccbn-nbc.gc.ca

____________________________________________________

Welcome to the Plains of Abraham website

In the heart of Québec,
The Battlefields Park
One of the most prestigious city parks
One of Canada’s most important historical parks

The site of many clashes for supremacy between the French and British Empires, the Park is the scene of the 1759 Conquest, which changed the fate of North America. Apart from its historical past, the Park is to Québec what Central Park and Hyde Park are to New York and London: a city park of outstanding value, the lungs of the city. One hundred and eight hectares of meadow and grassy knolls, decked with flowers or covered with snow, are there for residents and visitors to enjoy.

On March 17, 1908, the law creating the National Battlefields Commission (NBC) was sanctioned to highlight and preserve this site, unique in the world by its sheer size, its geographic location, its historical role and its beauty. The Battlefields Park, which groups together the Plains of Abraham and the Des Braves Park, was developed to honour the memory of both French and British combatants.

____________________________________________________

Let’s head for 2008!

The Battlefields Park will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2008. Numerous activities are planned for the occasion and the population is invited to join in the festivities. As early as 2003, the National Battlefields Commission will be starting the countdown. Watch for the information to be circulated shortly on the subject.

A 100-year old love story worth celebrating!

Public Notice
Share your park memories

Within the framework of the centennial of the National Battlefields Commission and of your park, the Plains of Abraham, the public is asked to contribute to a search for significant and unpublished photos and objects representing the park over the years, thus uncovering its best kept treasures and best preserved memories since 1908. A committee will be responsible for defining the activity that will show them to advantage during the 2008 celebrations.

Suggestions of subjects:

- Tricentennial Celebrations:
Official program, buttons, postcards, costumes used in the “Pageants”, souvenir plates, trinkets, statuettes, post stamps, posters, photographs, stereograms, currency, souvenir books, water colours, etc.

- Occupation of the National Battlefields Commission territory:
Creation of the Commission, laying-out of the Park, Québec Astronomical Observatory, Québec prison, “Royal Québec” Golf Club, Québec Skating Club (Québec Bulldogs), arsenal laboratory (Québec cartridge factory), Cove Fields (Ross Armory, military huts), Martello Tower 3 (René-Lévesque blvd), municipal water tank, construction of the greenhouses, Louis S. St. Laurent Heritage House (on Grande Allée), construction of the Musée du Québec, weather station on Laurier street, construction of the Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham and of the nearby playground, 1938 Eucharistic Conference, construction of the head office of the Commission (390 av. de Bernières), Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, RCMP patrol, visit of Charles Lindberg, visit of Queen Elizabeth II, etc.

- Monuments and Buildings:
Jeanne d’Arc Monument and Garden, Martello Towers, Des Braves avenue, park and monument, Cap-aux-Diamants avenue, Gilmour Hill, artillery pieces (German guns, Price collection), Garneau street and monument, avenue, Wolfe well and Wolfe monument, Sacrificial Cross, Grey and Saint-Denis terraces, Centenary Fountain, Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand, etc.

- Popular events:
“Arnold Society” expedition, Québec Carnival, Superfrancofête, Chant’Août, Take the Capital by Storm, Summit of the Americas, “Jam des Neiges”, horse show, Fête nationale du Québec, Canada Day, etc.

Criteria:
- The park must be identifiable on the images, either by a monument, a specific event or otherwise
- Photos or objects must be gathered between 1908 and today
- Images can be on different media (paper, slides)
- Objects can be of all kinds (costumes, souvenir items)
- A selection will be made among the objects and photographs submitted by the celebrations committee.

Also, any event from the year 1908 may be submitted and will be compiled to enliven the celebrations. An example? It was in 1908 that General Motors was founded. The Commission wishes to trace as many anecdotes as possible on the year of its creation.

Who knows, maybe one day, one of your Tricentennial stamps will be in an exhibit, or your family picture, which was taken at the Jeanne d’Arc Garden may be found in a memorial program. Share your memories and contribute to the enrichment of the unique heritage of the National Battlefields Park, the first national historic park in Canada.

Information: (418) 649-6157.

Back