The Historic Places that Shaped Us : A VisitList by the Canadian Federation of Friends of Museums’ Young Friends Council

Maison Louis-Joseph Forget is the proud headquarters of the Canadian Federation of Friends of Museums, the Young Friends Council’s parent organization. Built in the nineteenth century for the family of Canadian Senator Louis-Joseph Forget (1853-1911), the house is a striking example of Victorian-era architecture.

It is located in Montreal’s historic ‘Square Mile’—a neighbourhood once known as the enclave of the city’s business and academic elites. Maison Forget stands today not only as a symbol of Canada’s architectural heritage but also as a hub for those committed to preserving and celebrating it.

For this year’s Historic Places Days, the the Macdonald Stewart Foundation, the Canadian Federation of Friends of Museums (CFFM), les Anciennes troupes militaires de Montréal, and the Vimy Foundation have partnered to open the Maison Louis-Joseph Forget to the public!

Join us on July 18th and 19th to learn more about the beautiful Maison Louis-Joseph Forget and the city’s incredible history.

By Qinglian Zhang (Montreal)

Constructed in 1867 as the Presbyterian Church of St. Paul and reassembled in Saint‑Laurent in 1930, the building that now hosts the MUMAQ – Musée des métiers d’art du Québec has, since 1979, served as a dedicated space celebrating Québec’s craftsmanship heritage. Home to the permanent exhibition “Meaningful Objects: A History of Craft in Québec,” the museum presents over 300 objects onsite out of their over 15,000 collection items—furniture, textiles, ceramics, glass, and more—highlighting the evolution of artisanal trades from New France to today.

As a coordinator for the Montreal Young Friends Group, I had the joy of organizing our very first holiday craft workshop at the museum, where we learned embroidery techniques from Emma Palladino, MUMAQ’s Cultural mediator and Digital Projects Manager, in a cozy, hands-on session. We were also invited to explore the organ room on the church’s second floor—a hidden gem rarely seen by the public. Personally, as a Chinese Montrealer, the museum holds an extra layer of meaning: it sits just beside one of the largest Asian supermarket chains in Canada, a place deeply tied to my own memories of family, food, and love.

By Audrey Gray (Montreal)

The Redpath Museum is a Victorian Natural History museum found at the centre of McGill University campus. The building was constructed in 1882 to house the fossil collections of John William Dawson, a professor of geology and Principal of McGill University between 1855 and 1893. Today, the Redpath serves both as a research institution for the University and as a public museum, offering educational programs and activities for visitors of all ages.

I first became involved with the Redpath Museum during my first year at McGill, when I joined as a student volunteer. Volunteering activities involved providing informal tours of the Museum’s collections and assisting with youth outreach programming at local libraries and community centres. New to University life (and to the city of Montreal), the Redpath quickly became a place of learning, connection, and community. 

A special recognition must be given to Ingrid Birker, who ran Redpath’s outreach during my time as a student volunteer. Her mentorship and generosity in including me in so many meaningful events and activities were a highlight of my undergraduate experience.

By Katie Miller (Montreal)

The Greenwood Centre for Living History is a historic home located in the town of Hudson, Quebec, with sections of the house dating back to the 1730s, 1820s, 1900s, and 1920s. The earliest part of the house was originally the homestead of the Sabourin family, who settled the property in 1732. In 1820, it was passed on to the Delesderniers family, during which time it operated as a general store and trading post, and later became the first post office in the area. Greenwood eventually became a summer residence for the Shepherd and Nobbs families, whose legacies are closely connected to the development of academia in Montreal.

I first visited Greenwood when I was nine years old and was immediately captivated by its history and stories. As a CEGEP student, I returned to this special place for my first museum job. For three years, I worked as a Young Canada Works in Heritage Intern, giving tours and interpreting the house’s rich history for the public. It was during this time that I realized museums and heritage would be the path I’d follow in life.

Today, I’ve returned to Greenwood as a volunteer, eager to continue making new memories and deepening my understanding of this extraordinary historic home — because the learning never truly ends when we love the subject matter.

By Robin Treleaven (Ottawa)

The Bytown Museum is the former Commissariat Building, used for storing important materials during the construction of the Rideau Canal, and now commemorates the history of Ottawa. I love this spot because of the museum itself, which always has fascinating exhibits, but also because of the geographical location of the building. It is located right next to the locks of the Rideau Canal where they empty into the Ottawa River, or Kichi Sibi. This is a central spot in Ottawa where you can also see important landmarks such as the Chateau Laurier, Major’s Hill Park, and the Parliament buildings. This location evokes many eras of Ottawa’s history, from the hundreds of years of Indigenous history, to more modern times.

By Nikita Koziel Ly (Ottawa)

Founded in 1978 by Merrilee Hodgins and Joyce Shietze, The School of Dance began its journey on Wellington Street in west Ottawa. Established as a nationally registered, charitable, non-profit organization, it has been dedicated to providing professional dance training for over four decades.

In 2000, the School found a permanent home in the historic Crichton Street School building—a red brick landmark originally constructed in 1875. By purchasing and renovating the building, the School not only saved a piece of Ottawa’s architectural heritage from demolition but also transformed it into a vibrant hub for arts education.

Today, The School of Dance operates from 200 Crichton Street, continuing its mission to inspire, educate, and nurture the next generation of artists.

By Katelyn Law (Toronto)

Allan Gardens is a unique spot in Toronto to enjoy lush greenery and plants such as orchids, cacti, olive trees, palms, and many other plants from around the world. Throughout the year, the conservatory and its six greenhouses offer warmth and a connection to nature for the public, even on a cold winter day.

George Allan donated the land where Allan Gardens sits to the Toronto Horticultural Society in 1858, where they first opened an open-air pavilion for concerts and horticultural displays. It was replaced by a closed pavilion in 1879, which burnt to the ground in 1902. At this point, the city of Toronto managed the park and pavilion, and they designed and built the current Palm House. The main growth of the conservatory and the development of the greenhouse wings occurred after World War II, and the plant collections have grown ever since.

I quite enjoy this site for its plants and the opportunity to see extraordinary ones, especially in winter.

By Katelyn Law (Toronto)

Guild Park and Gardens is best known for its artist sculptures and the preservation of architectural fragments from various demolished buildings (mostly from Downtown Toronto) throughout the park. Specifically, the outdoor Greek Theatre used by the Guild Festival Theatre, is built from the Bank of Toronto building.

Rosa Breithaupt Hewetson purchased the property in 1932, and along with her husband Spencer Clark would model the property as a centre for the Arts and Crafts movement. The site provided forums for artists and artisans, and the Clarks developed reputations as patrons of the arts and preservationists. During World War II, the site was used as a training base for the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRENS). When the Clarks returned to the property in 1947, they began preserving architectural fragments from downtown Toronto buildings that were being demolished as the city underwent a modernist redevelopment. The Clarks worked to purchase salvaged architectural materials, then transport and reconstruct them on their property in Scarborough, and it remains a site to view the city’s architectural history.

I enjoy this site for its preserved architectural remains in Toronto, as it offers a rare opportunity to see parts of the facades of Toronto’s old downtown, and consider how modern development has changed the downtown area.