Ever wonder what stories these old stones could tell? We are standing before the Maison Papineau. It is a silent witness to Montreal’s rich history.
The Maison Papineau, also known as Maison John-Campbell, stands proudly on Rue de Bonsecours. Its story begins in 1779. Joseph Papineau dit Montigny owned a wooden house on this very land. Colonel John Campbell bought the land. In 1785, Campbell commissioned Jean-Baptiste Cérat to build a stone house.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine Montreal in the late 18th century. The Maison Papineau, newly built, stands as a testament to colonial life. Colonel Campbell, a commissioner for Indian affairs, occupies this grand residence.
In 1809, the house returned to the Papineau family. Joseph Papineau, a notary and son of the original owner, purchased it. Later, it passed to his son, Louis-Joseph Papineau. Louis-Joseph was a lawyer and politician. He moved here in 1819 with his wife Julie Bruneau. They raised their children within these walls.
Now picture the 1830s. The Papineaus undertook significant renovations. The street level lowered, revealing the basement. The house expanded to the left, incorporating a carriage entrance. The entrance shifted. The interior underwent a transformation. The salon grew, its ceiling raised. The attic rebuilt with dormer windows. A tin roof completed the new look. To unify the facade they used wood. It mimicked stone.
Imagine the turmoil of 1837-1838. The Rebellions shook the region. The Maison Papineau suffered vandalism. Louis-Joseph Papineau, a leader of the Patriote movement, was forced into exile. His wife followed in 1838.
During their exile, the house served as a hotel. In 1842, the Arcade Hotel offered lodging and fine dining. The Papineaus returned briefly from 1848 to 1850. Then they settled permanently in Montebello.
For sixty years, the Maison Papineau continued as a hotel. It was first called the Empire Hotel. It housed married soldiers from 1864 to 1866. From 1871 to 1877, it became the Hotel California. Around 1875, two brick stories were added. Later, it was known as the Hotel Bonsecours.
By the early 20th century, the Maison Papineau transitioned to a boarding house. Small businesses occupied the ground floor. By 1960, it had fallen into disrepair. A snack bar operated in part of the building.
But the Maison Papineau’s story does not end there. In 1961, music critic Eric McLean moved in. A year later, he bought the house. McLean, a preservationist, restored the building to its 1830s appearance. He used surviving traces and old drawings. The restoration completed in 1965, including the reconstruction of the attic.
The government of Quebec declared the Maison Papineau a historic monument in 1965. Canada designated it a national historic site in 1968.
In 1982, the Canadian government acquired the property. Parks Canada took over its management. Eric McLean continued to live there until his death in 2002. The roof was restored in 1983. The facade’s wood cladding was restored in 1998-1999.
Today, the Maison Papineau stands as a reminder of Montreal’s past. It embodies architectural styles and political events. From Colonel Campbell to Louis-Joseph Papineau to Eric McLean, its walls echo with stories. The Maison Papineau remains a treasure in Old Montreal. It reminds us of the layers of history beneath our feet.