The Presence of History in Quebec City
Located in the historic Old Quebec area near the Saint Lawrence River, the Musée de la civilisation occupies a space defined by its proximity to the water and the ancient stones of the city. The architecture, designed by Moshe Safdie, creates a structure that integrates with the surrounding urban fabric. It is a place where the weight of the past is felt through the physical presence of objects rather than through mere description. The building itself sits near a historic vault dating back to 1751, grounding the modern institution in the deep layers of the city's development.
The atmosphere within is one of quiet discovery. It is a site where the material remains of human existence are gathered to be observed in silence. The museum functions as a repository for the ethnographic and historic identity of the region, offering a space where the tangible remnants of society are allowed to speak for themselves.
The Weight of the Collection
The museum's collection includes artifacts related to art, society, and ethnography. There are over 225,000 objects, including textiles, costumes, furniture, and ethnological tools. These items are physical remnants of a society. Specific works include:
- The Rock Slide at Cape Diamond, 1841 - Joseph Légaré
- The Church of Sainte-Foy - Joseph Légaré
- Portrait of Joseph Légaré, 1927 - Elmina Lefebvre
- David Gazing at Goliath's Head, 1671 - Pierre Puget
- Saint Jerome Hears the Trumpet of the Last Judgment, 1779 - Jacques-Louis David
The museum also houses human remains on long-term loan from the provincial Ministry of Public Security. This collection includes more than one hundred body parts, such as tattooed skin from a homicide victim named Mildred Brown. These were taken by Dr. Wilfrid Derome during the early twentieth century. These objects force a confrontation with the physical reality of mortality and the history of medical practice.
A Study of Human Society
The exhibitions here often move between the grand scale of history and the intimate details of daily life. Previous displays have explored the concept of territories and the specific experiences of the people of Québec. The museum uses a participatory approach, employing holograms, videos, and ambient sounds to create an environment where the past feels immediate. It is a place where the distinction between the observer and the observed becomes thin, particularly through the use of interactive elements that invite a deeper engagement with the artifacts on display.
