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Parks Canada’s National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program
Project Recipient: University of Québec at Rimouski
National Historic Site: Louis Bertrand House National Historic Site
Total Project Cost: minimum of $174,656
Parks Canada’s Contribution: up to $87,328
Project Description:
The conservation project undertaken by the University of Québec at Rimouski aims to safeguard the Louis Bertrand House, built in 1853, against fires and intrusions with the installation of sprinklers and an alarm system. This is the third phase of a broader conservation project which seeks to mitigate the risk of disaster caused by fire, an ever-present threat for this historic wood structure. The project also requires upgrading electric and mechanical systems. This investment will ensure that the commemorative integrity of this important national historic site is maintained for present and future generations and will support its continued use so that it remains an integral part of the community.
Louis Bertrand House National Historic Site
The Louis Bertrand House National Historic Site is located in the village of L’Isle-Verte in the Lower St. Lawrence region of Quebec. Constructed for Louis Bertrand, a successful merchant and active politician, this rectangular house has two full storeys and a two-level attic. The house was built in the traditional “maison québécoise” manner, as seen in the high foundations, porch, steep roof, and details such as the multi-paned casement windows. To this are added stylistic elements from the classical revival style, including the overall symmetry of plan and elevations, decorative details, and wood cladding fashioned to imitate cut stone. The interior retains original floors, mouldings, and many of its original fittings and furnishings. Official recognition refers to the building on its legal lot.
The Louis Bertrand House was designated a national historic site of Canada in 1999 because:
- it is an outstanding example of a “maison québécoise” influenced by the classical revival style;
- the building is closely associated with Louis and Charles Bertrand, who both played key roles in the development of the Isle-Verte region in the 19th century; and
- the house contains an extensive collection of documents, furnishings, furniture and well-preserved objects, representing the daily life of a middle class family in Quebec society in the 19th and 20th centuries.
This house was constructed in 1853 for Louis Bertrand, an important businessman, who became the village’s first mayor, the founder of the Agricultural Society and Member of the House of Assembly for the county of Rimouski. Measuring 15.85 metres by 10.66 metres, the house has a rectangular plan and steep roof typical of Quebec architecture, while the detailing reflects a classical revival influence. The interior retains fittings and furniture typical of middle class residences of the period. Louis Bertrand’s descendants continued to live in the house for four generations. In 2005 the house and its contents, a remarkable collection of family-related objects, were given to the University of Québec at Rimouski (UQAR).
Cost-Sharing Program
The National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program is a contribution program whereby up to 50% of eligible costs incurred in the conservation of a national historic site can be reimbursed. This year, the Program aimed to assist non-federal owners of national historic sites that demonstrated a real and immediate threat to the commemorative integrity of their national historic site and for which an intervention was required in the short term to maintain the physical integrity of the threatened cultural resources. A national historic site possesses commemorative integrity when it is healthy and whole, and when the site’s heritage values are protected, communicated and respected. The Program supports Parks Canada’s mandate of protecting and presenting places of national historic significance, and fostering the public’s understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of these places in ways that ensure their commemorative integrity for present and future generations.
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National Historic Site: Louis Bertrand House National Historic Site
Total Project Cost: minimum of $174,656
Parks Canada’s Contribution: up to $87,328
Project Description:
The conservation project undertaken by the University of Québec at Rimouski aims to safeguard the Louis Bertrand House, built in 1853, against fires and intrusions with the installation of sprinklers and an alarm system. This is the third phase of a broader conservation project which seeks to mitigate the risk of disaster caused by fire, an ever-present threat for this historic wood structure. The project also requires upgrading electric and mechanical systems. This investment will ensure that the commemorative integrity of this important national historic site is maintained for present and future generations and will support its continued use so that it remains an integral part of the community.
Louis Bertrand House National Historic Site
The Louis Bertrand House National Historic Site is located in the village of L’Isle-Verte in the Lower St. Lawrence region of Quebec. Constructed for Louis Bertrand, a successful merchant and active politician, this rectangular house has two full storeys and a two-level attic. The house was built in the traditional “maison québécoise” manner, as seen in the high foundations, porch, steep roof, and details such as the multi-paned casement windows. To this are added stylistic elements from the classical revival style, including the overall symmetry of plan and elevations, decorative details, and wood cladding fashioned to imitate cut stone. The interior retains original floors, mouldings, and many of its original fittings and furnishings. Official recognition refers to the building on its legal lot.
The Louis Bertrand House was designated a national historic site of Canada in 1999 because:
- it is an outstanding example of a “maison québécoise” influenced by the classical revival style;
- the building is closely associated with Louis and Charles Bertrand, who both played key roles in the development of the Isle-Verte region in the 19th century; and
- the house contains an extensive collection of documents, furnishings, furniture and well-preserved objects, representing the daily life of a middle class family in Quebec society in the 19th and 20th centuries.
This house was constructed in 1853 for Louis Bertrand, an important businessman, who became the village’s first mayor, the founder of the Agricultural Society and Member of the House of Assembly for the county of Rimouski. Measuring 15.85 metres by 10.66 metres, the house has a rectangular plan and steep roof typical of Quebec architecture, while the detailing reflects a classical revival influence. The interior retains fittings and furniture typical of middle class residences of the period. Louis Bertrand’s descendants continued to live in the house for four generations. In 2005 the house and its contents, a remarkable collection of family-related objects, were given to the University of Québec at Rimouski (UQAR).
Cost-Sharing Program
The National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program is a contribution program whereby up to 50% of eligible costs incurred in the conservation of a national historic site can be reimbursed. This year, the Program aimed to assist non-federal owners of national historic sites that demonstrated a real and immediate threat to the commemorative integrity of their national historic site and for which an intervention was required in the short term to maintain the physical integrity of the threatened cultural resources. A national historic site possesses commemorative integrity when it is healthy and whole, and when the site’s heritage values are protected, communicated and respected. The Program supports Parks Canada’s mandate of protecting and presenting places of national historic significance, and fostering the public’s understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of these places in ways that ensure their commemorative integrity for present and future generations.
News Release associated with this Backgrounder.
