www.mjdarchitecte.com FS15 The Cultural Mix of Old Quebec and the Augustinian Memorial FIELD SESSION DESCRIPTION

The Augustinian nuns, who arrived in 1639 from France to establish the first hospital in North America, have occupied the same site in the Quebec’s historic district since the 1640s. The institution they founded has continued to provide medical care up to the present day, and remains one of the most important hospitals in Quebec City. This field excursion will begin with a tour of the upper town which will include some of the most important historic sites, French and English, in the historic district. You will then visit the Augustinian convent, which includes buildings from the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The oldest wing, which dates back in part to 1695, faces a large walled garden. Today the nuns no longer run the hospital that they founded and their numbers are dwindling rapidly as they became advanced in age without the prospect of new young recruits to replace them. Faced with this challenge, the Augustinian nuns have developed an ambitious project to create a living place of memory. The rich cultural heritage of the 12 convents that they have founded over a period of 375 years will be gathered together in the first convent/hospital that they founded in Quebec City. The project will include a museum and archives but it will also be possible for visitors to stay at the convent, in rooms that were formerly occupied by the nuns in the oldest wings. The nuns themselves are moving to the newest wing of the complex. Our field excursion will take you to visit one of the most important construction/restoration sites in Quebec, a project which is expected to cost in the neighbourhood of 40 million dollars. Meet those responsible for this ambitious project and learn about the challenges involved in adapting this important heritage site to modern requirements while preserving the spirit of an exceptional historic environment. CONTACT