Understanding and Interpreting

the Past of an Urban Commercial

District: the Recent Experience of
Old Montreal

Joanne Burgess
Université du Québec à Montréal
An Introduction: Old Montreal in Time and
Space

The Historic District, 1964-2005: some key dates

Strategies and Tools to Promote Heritage

Education for a Range of Audiences

Historical Narrative and the Interpretation of

Heritage: Reconceptualizations and Revisions

Partnership between Academic Historians and

Heritage Professionals
An Introduction: Old Montreal in Time and
Space
An Introduction: Old Montreal in Time and
Space
An Introduction: Old Montreal in Time and
Space
Old Montreal in Time and Space:
Ville Marie (1642-1685)
Old Montreal in Time and Space:
The Fortified City (1685-1800)
Old Montreal in Time and Space:
British colonial town (1800-1850)
 Old Montreal in Time and Space:
Victorian Town Centre (1850-1880)
 Old Montreal in Time and Space:
In the heart of the modern metropolis (1880-1950)
 Old Montreal in Time and Space:
Creation of a Historic District and Revitalization of
the Old City (1950 to the present)
 The Historic District, 1964-2005:
some key dates

1964: Quebec Historic Sites and Monuments

Board designates portion of Old
Montreal as a heritage district.

1979: Agreement between Provincial

Ministry of Culture and City of
Montreal, to foster preservation,
revitalization, research and heritage
interpretation.
 The Historic District, 1964-2005:
some key dates

1979 to 2005: Agreements renewed.

1992: 350th Anniversary of Founding of Montreal

1995: Boundaries of Historic District Expanded.

 Strategies and Tools to Promote Heritage
Education for a Range of Audiences

1960s and early 1970s

Late 1970s to early 1990s

Mid-1990s to Today
Phase One: 1992-1997
Phase Two: 1998-2004
The Old Montreal Web Site

www.old.montreal.qc.ca

www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca
 Heritage Interpretation:
new media and old

Building links between History and Architecture

Breaking down barriers between audiences

A new narrative: Old Montreal, history through heritage

Historical Narrative and the Interpretation of
Heritage: Reconceptualizations and
Revisions

1960s and early 1970s: Remembering the birthplace of

Montreal and the fortified town

Late 1970s to early 1990s:History and Architecture – two

different narratives

Mid-1990s to Today
Phase One: 1992-1997: History and architecture – a rapprochement
Phase Two: 1998-2004: History and architecture – a new synthesis?
 Partnership between Academic Historians
and Heritage Professionals

Building partnerships
Funding for joint research initiatives
Challenges
Benefits
- Narrower focus, broader scope
- Details and texture
- Context
- New Questions
ME 1880
4 399 973 pi2
ME 1880
disparus
1 890 688 pi2
existants
2 509 285 pi2
Understanding and Interpreting the Past
of an Urban Commercial District:
the Recent Experience of Old Montreal