Amidst the gentle caress of the St. Lawrence River, the Musée de Lachine unveils centuries of captivating stories. The Musée de Lachine isn’t just a museum. It’s a living testament to Montreal’s rich past, a place where history whispers through the stones of the Maison LeBer-LeMoyne. This magnificent structure, a jewel of 17th-century French architecture, stands as the oldest intact building on the Island of Montreal.
The Musée de Lachine journey begins in 1669. René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle sold this picturesque land to Jacques Le Ber and Charles Le Moyne. The two entrepreneurs established the first fur trading post in Lachine. Imagine the hustle and bustle of fur traders, their canoes laden with precious pelts, arriving at this strategic location just upstream from the Lachine Rapids. The rapids provided a natural barrier, allowing for easy unloading away from the strongest currents. Though vital to their enterprise, the trading post wasn’t their home. Le Ber and Le Moyne employed others to manage the daily operations.
Within the walls of the Maison LeBer-LeMoyne, over 400 artifacts unearthed during archaeological excavations breathe life into the past. These objects offer glimpses into the everyday lives of the house’s inhabitants over the centuries. From tools and utensils to personal belongings, each artifact whispers a tale of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring human spirit. The Musée de Lachine also showcases a remarkable outdoor sculpture garden, where contemporary art harmonizes with the historical landscape. Fifty sculptures, created by renowned artists like Linda Covit, Bill Vazan, and Marcel Barbeau, dot the grounds, inviting contemplation and reflection.
The story of the Musée de Lachine is one of transformation. The fur trade eventually waned, and the land passed through various hands. In 1687, Guillmont dit Lalande purchased the property, only to abandon it a decade later after the devastating Lachine Massacre. In 1695, Marguerite Chorel, wife of military officer Guillaume de Lorimier, took ownership. The family occupied the house for generations, leaving their own indelible mark on its history. Later, in 1765, Irish innkeeper Hugh Heney acquired the property, giving the house a British makeover.
Recognizing its historical significance, the municipality of Lachine acquired the property in 1946, opening the Musée de Lachine to the public in 1948. Extensive restorations, undertaken between 1981 and 1985, peeled back layers of time, revealing the original structure’s beauty. Archaeological digs in the late 20th and early 21st centuries further enriched our understanding of the site, confirming its continuous occupation and dispelling long-held theories about its destruction during the Lachine Massacre. Today, the Musée de Lachine offers a compelling journey through time, connecting us to the people and events that shaped this remarkable place.