The Archaeology and History of Canada's First Parliament, 1844-1849
In 1844, Montreal was selected to be the Province of Canada's first official capital. Members of parliament met in the newly renovated former St. Anne's Market, the city's largest civic building.

Progressive policies enacted during that decade angered Tories, who burned down the building in 1849, ending Montreal's status as the capital and consigning the building to the realm of the archaeological record.

In the distressed world of archaeological remains in urban environments, the preservation of this parliament's remains stands out as an implausible oddity. The conditions that led to it are multiple and, in hindsight, appear accidental and altogether improbable.

For the Alliance Française's April Pause-Midi presentation, Hendrik Van Gijseghem will examine the parliament's remains and present highlights from more than a decade of archaeological research on the site.

Apr 29, 2024, 6:30 to 8 PM

May 3, 2024, 8 AM to 3 PM

May 3, 2024, 6 to 7:30 PM