Heritage Montreal is a Canadian
non-profit organization
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
dedicated to protecting the architectural, historic, natural, and cultural heritage of
Greater Montreal
Greater Montreal (french: Grand Montréal) is the most populous metropolitan area in Quebec and the second most populous in Canada after Greater Toronto. In 2015, Statistics Canada identified Montreal's Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) as with a ...
. Architect
Phyllis Lambert
Phyllis Barbara Lambert, (née Bronfman; born January 24, 1927) is a Canadian architect, philanthropist, and member of the Bronfman family.
Life
Born in Montreal, Quebec, she studied at The Study, a premier independent school for girls, and wa ...
founded Heritage Montreal in 1975.
It was preceded by Save Montreal, a volunteer group co-founded by
Michael Fish
Michael Fish, (born 27 April 1944 in Eastbourne, Sussex) is a British weather forecaster. From 1974 to 2004, he was a television presenter for BBC Weather.
Career
Educated at Eastbourne College and City University London, Fish was the longe ...
after the controversial demolition of the
Van Horne Mansion by developer
David Azrieli
David Joshua Azrieli, ( he, דוד יהושע עזריאלי; 10 May 1922 – 9 July 2014) was an Israeli-Canadian real estate tycoon, developer, designer, architect, and philanthropist. With an estimated net worth of US$3.1 billion as of ...
in 1973.
Heritage Montreal played a key role in efforts to halt demolition and redevelopment in the
McGill Ghetto
Milton Park (french: Milton-Parc), commonly known as the McGill Student ghetto, Ghetto, is a neighbourhood in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is situated directly to the east of the McGill University campus in the Boroughs of Montreal, borough of Le P ...
, also known as
Milton Park
Milton Park is a mixed use business and technology park in Oxfordshire, England, operated by MEPC plc.
It is just south of the village of Milton, about west of Didcot. It is on the site of a former Ministry of Defence depot between the A34 ...
.
History
Save Montreal
Heritage Montreal's predecessor institution was Save Montreal (Sauvons Montréal), founded on September 28, 1973, after the demolition of the Van Horne Mansion on Rue Sherbrooke. Its mission was to save the city's heritage. Because of the efforts of the volunteers of Save Montreal, the Commission des Citoyens Pour l’Avenir de Montréal begins hearings on May 29, 1976, and adopted guidelines on July 6, 1978, that require "due consideration" to the architectural qualities of residential buildings before issuing demolition permits. Save Montreal also pushed for the creation of Heritage Montreal.
Heritage Montreal
Architectural activist and
Canadian Centre for Architecture
The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA; french: Centre Canadien d'Architecture) is a Architecture museum, museum of architecture and research centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is located at 1920, rue Baile (1920, Baile Street), between r ...
founder,
Phyllis Lambert
Phyllis Barbara Lambert, (née Bronfman; born January 24, 1927) is a Canadian architect, philanthropist, and member of the Bronfman family.
Life
Born in Montreal, Quebec, she studied at The Study, a premier independent school for girls, and wa ...
, established Heritage Montreal in 1975 and served as its first president.
It was incorporated on October 15, 1975. Its mission is to promote and protect the architectural, historic, natural, and cultural heritage of Greater Montreal. Heritage Montreal provides education and advocacy to preserve Montreal’s identity and uniqueness.
On October 6, 1981, the Heritage Montreal Foundation opened offices at the corner of
Notre-Dame Street
Notre-Dame Street (officially in french: Rue Notre-Dame) is a historic east-west street located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It runs parallel to the Saint Lawrence River, from Lachine to the eastern tip of the island in Pointe-aux-Trembles, ...
and
Bonsecours Street at the former
Monastère du Bon-Pasteur in Old Montreal. The Centre Urbain offers education and documentation services to anyone interested in preserving and enhancing urban heritage.
The City of Montreal and Heritage Montreal created Opération Patrimoine Architectural de Montréal (OPAM or the Montreal Architectural Heritage Campaign) in 1990. OPAM raises awareness of the importance of protecting built heritage by rewarding the work of heritage property owners. In 2001, the campaign expanded to cover the entire Island of Montreal. Heritage Montreal awards more than twenty OPAM prizes annually.
Marking its 20th anniversary in 1995, Heritage Montreal held public hearings at the
Canadian Centre for Architecture
The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA; french: Centre Canadien d'Architecture) is a Architecture museum, museum of architecture and research centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is located at 1920, rue Baile (1920, Baile Street), between r ...
, inviting organizations and the public to envision the future of Montreal's heritage. In 2001, Heritage Montreal suggested that Quebec's municipal reforms should include heritage-conservation and public-consultation bodies, Conseil du Patrimoine and Office de Consultation Publique, in the updated city charter. In 2005, Heritage Montreal’s Heritage and Development Committee (known by its French acronym CoPA) unveiled its first annual list of ten threatened emblematic sites in Montreal.
In October 2009, Heritage Montreal, Lambert, and others participated in a
think tank
A think tank, or policy institute, is a research institute that performs research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, technology, and culture. Most think tanks are non-governmenta ...
called the Institut de Politiques Alternatives de Montréal, to advise the city on a range of matters, including urban planning, development, and heritage.
[ ]
Preservation activities
Milton Park
With the support of Heritage Montreal and the financial assistance of
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) (french: Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement) (SCHL) is Canada's national housing agency, and state-owned mortgage insurer. It was originally established after World War II, to help re ...
, residents of
Milton Park
Milton Park is a mixed use business and technology park in Oxfordshire, England, operated by MEPC plc.
It is just south of the village of Milton, about west of Didcot. It is on the site of a former Ministry of Defence depot between the A34 ...
created the largest co-operative housing project in North America, renovating entire rows of early 20th-century buildings between 1979 and 1982.
Mount Royal
In 1985,
SNC announced its plan to replace the
CBC/Radio-Canada
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (french: Société Radio-Canada), branded as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian public broadcaster for both radio and television. It is a federal Crown corporation that receives funding from the government. ...
transmission mast on
Mount Royal
Mount Royal (french: link=no, Mont Royal, ) is a large intrusive rock hill or small mountain in the city of Montreal, immediately west of Downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The best-known hypothesis for the origin of the name Montreal is the hi ...
with a tall tower topped by a restaurant. Les Amis de la Montagne (Friends of the Mountain) formed in 1986 to advocate for the preservation and enhancement of
Mount Royal
Mount Royal (french: link=no, Mont Royal, ) is a large intrusive rock hill or small mountain in the city of Montreal, immediately west of Downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The best-known hypothesis for the origin of the name Montreal is the hi ...
. That same year, Heritage Montreal and Save Montreal asked the Government of Quebec to classify Mount Royal under the Cultural Property Act. However, Quebec forwarded its request to the City of Montreal.
Heritage Montreal, Les Amis de la Montagne, the Centre de la Montagne, and the City of Montreal organized the inaugural Mount Royal Summit run on March 14, 2002. On March 9, 2005, the Government of Quebec granted double heritage protection status for the first time, decreeing Mount Royal a historic and natural district.
Redpath Mansion
In 1986, Heritage Montreal and Save Montreal obtained an injunction to stop the demolition of the Redpath Mansion. In an out-of-court settlement, the owner committed to developing and enhancing the property but instead abandoned the mansion and surrounding land for more than 25 years. Heritage Montreal kept its vigilance, hoping to find a renovation project. However, the Redpath Mansion was demolished in 2014.
Montreal Botanical Garden
In 1994, Heritage Montreal filed a request to have the
Montreal Botanical Garden
The Montreal Botanical Garden (french: link=no, Jardin botanique de Montréal) is a large botanical garden in Montreal, Quebec, Canada comprising of thematic gardens and greenhouses. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2008 ...
classified as a historic site, citing its national value as a complex dedicated to science and society.
Silo No. 5
On October 4, 1997, Heritage Montreal hosted a study day on the future of Silo No. 5, in collaboration with the Association Québécoise pour le Patrimoine Industriel (AQPI).
Eaton’s restaurant
On February 16, 1999, Heritage Montreal asked the Ministry of Culture and Communications to assign historic monument classification for the
Art Deco
Art Deco, short for the French ''Arts Décoratifs'', and sometimes just called Deco, is a style of visual arts, architecture, and product design, that first appeared in France in the 1910s (just before World War I), and flourished in the Unite ...
restaurant on the 9th floor of the former Eaton’s department store. On August 24, 2000, the Minister of Culture and Communications,
Agnès Maltais
Agnès Maltais (born November 7, 1956) is a Canadian politician from Quebec. She was a Member of the National Assembly of Quebec for the riding of Taschereau in the Quebec City region. She represented the Parti Québécois.
Maltais mostly work ...
, announced its classification as a historic monument.
Habitat 67
Heritage Montreal filed requests in 2002 for
Habitat 67
HABITAT 67, or simply Habitat, is a housing complex at Cité du Havre, on the Saint Lawrence River, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, designed by Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie. It originated in his master's thesis at the School of Architect ...
to become a historic monument and a heritage site. The City of Montreal approved its historic monument status in September 2007. The Ministry of Culture and Communications approved its status as a heritage site in 2009.
Guaranteed Pure Milk bottle
In partnership with the provincial milk producers’ federation and private partners from the arts sector, Heritage Montreal launched Opération Sauvons la Pinte (Save the Milk Bottle) in 2009. The iconic milk-bottle-shaped
Guaranteed Pure Milk water tower was restored with its original painted inscriptions.
Fulford residence
In February 2022, Heritage Montreal asked Culture and Communications Minister
Nathalie Roy
Nathalie Roy (born 8 May 1964) is a Canadian politician. She is a member of the National Assembly of Quebec for the riding of Montarville, first elected in the 2012 election. She is currently serving as the Ministry of Culture and Communication ...
to give the Major House, known as the Fulford Residence, protection by classifying it under the Cultural Heritage Act. Located on
Guy Street
Guy Street (officially in french: rue Guy) is a north-south street located in downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Concordia University's Integrated Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Complex is located on this street, as is the John Mol ...
in the heart of the
Peter-McGill neighborhood, the 1885 Fulford Residence was home to James Edward Major until 1890 when it became a home for women.
The Fulford Residence was significant because of its intact 19th-century architecture. However, when the women's home was closed during the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
, there was uncertainty about the fate of this heritage property. Quebec’s Culture and Communications Ministry announced on August 26, 2022, that the residence will be classified as a heritage building. The designation will apply to the building, the site, and some of its interiors “which are of particular architectural integrity and interest.”
Educational activities
Heritage Montreal's earliest programs were lectures on residential renovation, informing homeowners of best practices, and raising awareness about retaining heritage components. In 1985, more than sixty students from Quebec and elsewhere enrolled in a summer course about renovation and restoration, organized by Heritage Montreal and
Université de Montréal
The Université de Montréal (UdeM; ; translates to University of Montreal) is a French-language public research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university's main campus is located in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood of Côte-de ...
. In 1985, Heritage Montreal and the Institut d’Urbanisme of Université de Montréal organized a heritage symposium for municipalities, teaching about new heritage protections in the Cultural Property Act.
In 1986, a school bus became Heritage Montreal's Archibus, taking classes on architectural and urban discovery tours. In addition, Heritage Montreal took over hosting guided tours of Montreal neighborhoods from Save Montreal in 1988. In 1989, Heritage Montreal and
ICOMOS
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS; french: links=no, Conseil international des monuments et des sites) is a professional association that works for the conservation and protection of cultural heritage places around the worl ...
organized an integrated conservation symposium for representatives from several countries and
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
. Also in 1989, Heritage Montreal organized a symposium on preserving historic movie theaters at the
Rialto Cinema, a Montreal historic monument. This meeting led to the publication of a brief on repurposing former movie theatres as arts and culture venues.
Heritage Montreal organized two major projects to celebrate Montreal’s 350th anniversary in 1992: the Patrimoine en Marche (Steps in Time Guides) and self-guided tours along
Rue Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke Street (officially in french: rue Sherbrooke) is a major east–west artery and at in length, is the second longest street on the Island of Montreal. The street begins in the town of Montreal West and ends on the extreme tip of t ...
. In collaboration with the
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA; french: Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal, MBAM) is an art museum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is the largest art museum in Canada by gallery space. The museum is located on the historic Golden Square ...
, the
Quebec Order of Architects, and donors, Heritage Montreal created a program to educate young people on heritage and urban issues. In 1995, Heritage Montreal’s urban tours were renamed the ArchitecTours: an annual series of guided walking tours to discover Montreal, its neighborhoods, and its heritage.
In September 2014, Heritage Montreal organized a symposium on repurposing former hospital buildings as part of the Entretiens Jacques-Cartier.
Publications
Heritage Montreal, in collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, published four technical guides on renovating traditional masonry, windows, roof coverings, and facings. The guides were aimed at owners of heritage residences as well as construction and renovation contractors.
In 1997, Heritage Montreal published Plan Stratégique de Conservation des églises et des Chapelles au Centre-ville de Montréal, under the direction of
Jean-Claude Marsan. This was a strategic plan for downtown Montreal's historic churches.
In 1998, Heritage Montreal published its first Grand Calendrier du Patrimoine (Great Heritage Calendar), a one-stop guide to public activities through Montreal heritage organizations.
References
{{reflist
Historic preservation organizations in Canada
Culture of Montreal
Organizations based in Montreal
Organizations established in 1975
History of Montreal
Architecture in Canada