The Vanier Museopark: a history in motion, a living heritage
The first meeting took place at Action Vanier’s sugar shack and gathered several prominent figures from the neighbourhood, including former mayors and councillors committed to preserving the heritage of the former city of Vanier, which had recently amalgamated with Ottawa.
Under the leadership of Raymond Hotte, the committee secured $250,000 in funding from the surplus budget of the city of Vanier prior to the merger. The decision was made to renovate the second floor of the Richelieu-Vanier Centre to house the museum. The committee included dedicated members such as Diane Doré (former councillor), Robert Crête (former councillor), Guy Cousineau (former mayor), Gilles Ladouceur, Jean Durocher, Roger Crête (former mayor), Gisèle Lalonde (former mayor), Ginette Gratton, and Irène Franklin.
With additional financial support from the Vanier Heritage Fund, the Trillium Foundation, and the federal government, the Vanier Museopark reached a significant milestone in April 2005 by unveiling its branding.
Growth and evolution
On October 11, 2006, the Museopark officially launched its first permanent exhibition, Vanier-sur-l’Outaouais, Today for Tomorrow. This engaging exhibition explores the region’s history, from the First Nations to the explorers and pioneers who travelled its waterways.
In 2012, following the dissolution of Action Vanier, the Museopark expanded its mission by taking over the management of the Richelieu Park sugar shack and organising the iconic Sugar Festival. It also assumed responsibility for the neighbourhood’s historic murals, previously overseen by PubliArt, which vividly depict key moments in Vanier’s history.
Entering a new era
In 2018, the Museopark embarked on an ambitious new chapter. It refreshed its branding, completely redesigned its website, and significantly enhanced its collection by acquiring the archives and artifacts of the Sisters of the Jeanne d’Arc Institute. This invaluable donation prompted an expansion of the museum’s artifact storage to ensure the preservation of this unique heritage.
In 2019, the museum began an ambitious renovation and reimagining of its gallery and permanent exhibition. After the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Museopark proudly unveiled Vanier, Our Place. in June 2023, an exhibition that immerses visitors in the lives of the early settlers on the eastern shore of the Rideau River up to present-day Vanier, while highlighting the numerous struggles faced by the Franco-Ontarian community. Due to its high quality, this new museum space is now worthy of being ranked among the great museums of the nation’s capital.
A unique Francophone cultural gem
As the first and only francophone museum in Ottawa, the Vanier Museopark does more than tell the story of the past. It safeguards and celebrates the heritage of Vanier, Ottawa’s Francophone community, and Richelieu Park. A must-see cultural destination for history and Francophone culture enthusiasts!
