The Morrin Centre is a nationally recognized heritage site, museum, and leading English-language cultural center located in the heart of historic Old Quebec City. Built over 200 years ago as one of the city’s first common jails, it now houses one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. Walk through foreboding jail cells and browse the books in the charming Victorian library. We also offer diverse events including an annual writers’ Festival, concerts, children’s activities, readings, and lectures.
Morrin Centre
Québec, Québec
- Type
- National Trust Passport Place
- Address
- 44 Chaussée des Écossais, Québec City, QC, Canada
Get directions - Hours
- Summer: Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. /// Off-Season: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Phone
- 418-694-9147
Explore more than 110 Passport Places from coast to coast. Visit them free with a National Trust for Canada membership — starting at $42.
André Larochelle
Amenities
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Family-Friendly -
Guided Tour -
National Historic Site - National Trust Passport Place
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UNESCO World Heritage Site -
Washrooms
Fun Facts
Philippe-Aubert de Gaspé, author of one of the first French Canadian novel (Les Anciens Canadiens), became the Sheriff of the jail in 1816 and later became one of its prisoners in 1838, where he started writing his famous novel.
George Mercer Dawson taught at the Morrin College before becoming head of the Canadian Geological Survey.
The Literary Historical Society of Quebec (LHSQ), which manages the Morrin Centre to this day, founded many institutions, notably the Historic sites and Monuments board of Canada which led to the preservation of the Plains of Abraham and many other battlefields across Canada.
The LHSQ Library holds the oldest commemorative monument to James Wolfe. The wooden statue dates from 1779 and has a most interesting story.
Events At This Place
Location
44 Chaussée des Écossais, Québec City, QC, Canada
Get directions
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