Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site of Canada

What's New

A drawing of Bernard Pelletier showing in an artistic manner the front facade of the Grande Maison sourrounded by trees; on the left, the grading colors are an imitation of the sunrising. © Parks Canada

• "New France" Sundays at the Forges
• Help us Prepare for the Future!
• A Ground-Breaking Publication
• Invite Fontou, The Forges Mascot, to Your Event

A Ground-Breaking Publication

The cover of the book written by the historian Roch Samson on the history of the Forges du Saint-Maurice. © Parks Canada

The Forges du Saint-Maurice, Beginnings of the Iron and Steel Industry in Canada (1730-1883) by historian Roch Samson is a major opus capping 20 years of interdisciplinary research into 150 years of the country's first iron industry.

This prestigious, 460-page volume contains some 130 illustrations, many of which are in colour. Published in a handsome, hardbound edition, The Forges du Saint-Maurice is available in both French and English.

It is a book which will appeal to all readers. Novices may get an overview of the story of the Forges by skimming through the numerous illustrations taken from Parks Canada collections. History buffs will appreciate the simple, concise texts, accompanied by references, notes and tables.

This superb publication represents an outstanding contribution to our understanding of the very first industrial community in Canada. This document has been produced in co-edition with Laval University.

Bibliographical Data:

Samson, Roch. The Forges du Saint-Maurice: Beginnings of the Iron and Steel Industry in Canada, 1730-1883, [Sainte-Foy, Quebec]: Presses de l'Université Laval, c1998,
458 p. ISBN: 2763775497
$64.95 (taxes not included) + postage and handling.
This publication may be obtained by returning (mail or fax) the order form (PDF format 20 KB) duly filled out to the following address:
 
INFO-NATURE MAURICIE
Case postale 174
Shawinigan (Québec) G9N 6T9
Tel.: (819) 537-4555
Fax: (819) 536-3661
E-mail: Info-nature-mauricie@globetrotter.net

Please note: In Quebec, the sales tax (QST) does not apply to books. Orders are delivered in Canada only. For orders from other countries, please contact Info-Nature Mauricie by E-mail or at the telephone or fax number shown above.

Invite Fontou, The Forges Mascot, to Your Event

Fontou the mascot sourrounded by youngsters. © Parks Canada / Jean-Marie Marois / FOR/AC/99P0-0459, 1999

The blast furnace was the real heart of the Forges du Saint-Maurice. To supply business with the tons of cast iron it needed, the furnace was fired 24 hours a day from April to October.

In a modern-day development, the blast furnace has sprouted arms and legs. "Fontou," as he is called, loves to travel about. He'll be happy to leave the Forges to come liven up your event.

If you'd like to invite Fontou, contact the staff at the Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site. They have all the details about hosting this fiery mascot.