The Grondines Museum

In the 1970s, Grondines experienced great cultural vitality.

Black and white photo of a van marked “Muséobus” parked in front of a building bearing the word “Musée” in large letters.

The Muséobus of the Grondines Museum, summer 1973.

In 1971, thanks to the initiative of Grondines residents Gilles Després and Daniel Guilbault, and the help of geographer Pierre Houde, 38 young people from the village got together and started an archeological dig. Three historic sites of the first village cluster along the river were excavated: the first church, the former presbytery and the house of Eustache Grondines.

Black-and-white photo of a standing woman holding long scissors and a young man crouching behind, doing archaeological excavations in a rope cadrilateral.

Hélène Trottier and Marcel Laganière during the archeological digs, summer 1971.

These digs unearthed everyday objects, such as utensils and pottery fragments, as well as artifacts of Indigenous life, such as pipe bowls and hatchets. In parallel with these digs, the general population, following a call in the community, donated 1,200 documents of historical interest.

The Grondines Museum

What began as a simple summer project quickly grew into an ambitious endeavour: the creation of the Museum of Grondines [1]. The space is used not only to showcase archeological discoveries [2], but also as a “cultural complex.

Wooden building next to which is a sculpture in the shape of an “8”. Two cars are parked in front. The St. Lawrence River can be seen in the distance.

Grondines Museum in 1972.

Built in 1972, the museum hosts numerous exhibitions, showcases artworks and organizes sociocultural activities. Some of the biggest names on the Quebec art scene have exhibited their work here. Such was the case, in 1978, of painter and sculptor Aristide Gagnon and painter Claude Carette.

In the summer of 1973, a team launched an outreach project: the Muséobus, a museum on wheels. It criss-crossed the region, from Portneuf to Champlain. The bus helps with cultural outreach and mediation, bringing historical, ethnological and archeological exhibitions from the Grondines Museum directly to the public. The team stops at popular festivals, campsites and schools.

Open to absolutely everyone, the Grondines Museum has helped developed a genuine interest in culture in the community.

Twelve members of the museum team inside the Musée de Grondines raise a glass with a smile.

The Musée de Grondines team celebrating its work, 1972.

Community Spirit Two Key Figures