Bienvenue sur les plaines d'Abraham

Archaeological digs

Take part in the excavations which will take place from July 5 to August 27 2010, at the Braves Park. On the occasion of the 250^th anniversary of the Battles of the Plains of Abraham , the National Battlefields Commission will proceed to an array of surveys on the Dumont Mill site (where the Battle of Sainte-Foy occured). Citizens are invited to participate in these excavations and to dig in the rich history of the park.

The purpose of this year’s archeological intervention is to continue digging the site of the Henry Pinguet house, and conduct surveys to locate the site of the tannery and, if possible, the presumed site of the Dumont Mill. Under archaeologist Philippe Picard’s supervision, as well as a team of professionals, enthusiasts will take part in actual excavations on an authentic site for a half-day. No remuneration will be offered to the participants but required tools and equipment will be made available.

In 1646, Henry Pinguet became the first known occupant of the three acres which today partly correspond to Des Braves Park. The property, purchased in 1705 by a tanner from Île d’Orléans, was resold to Jean- Baptiste Dumont in 1741; it was then occupied by “a house, a tannery…, a small adjoining house, a barn and a tanbark mill.” During the Battle of Sainte-Foy, on April 28, 1760, the French and British armies waged a fierce battle on the Dumont property, causing significant damage to the buildings. In the following years, what was left of the structures gradually disappeared. In 1854, the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Québec bought a plot of land to erect a monument dedicated to the victims of the Battle of Sainte-Foy. In 1910, the National Battlefields Commission – whose mandate was to acquire and preserve Québec’s historic battlefields and convert them into a national park – purchased this land from the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Québec, along with a few other plots in the vicinity, later to become Des Braves Park.

The Battlefields Park is the first national historical park in Canada which includes amongst others, the Braves Park and the Plains of Abraham. The creation of the Braves Park, which measures 6 hectares, was executed according to landscape architect Frederick G. Todd’s plans and was completed in 1915.

Must register in advance. Places are limited: 2 persons for a half-day. (from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., from Monday to Friday). This activity is free and not intended for children.

July 5 to August 27 2010, 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Free, places limited (in French only).
At Des Braves Park.

Reservations required: 418 648-3506.

ARCHÉO-QUÉBEC Network, promoter of the event.

Behind the Battle Scenes

The Battles of Québec are acknowledged as truly European style battles. Raids and ambush attacks were characteristic of the altercations in America. The use of smooth bore weaponry in itself explains many strategies adopted on the battlefield and the bloody consequences brought upon the soldiers.

Two officers from the 1759-1760 period offer an interactive face-off that illustrates the hidden side of two great confrontations which took place in Québec. This historical animation offers visitors and their families a chance to discover about flintlock guns and rudimentary care given to the wounded.

From June 24 to August 20, 2010
At 12:45 p.m. (English) and 2 p.m. (French)
Free, no reservation required.
At the Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham.

Last April 28, on the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Sainte-Foy, the deputy chairman of the National Battlefields Commission, Mr. Jacques Mathieu, and the Commission’s secretary and CEO, Mr. André Beaudet, unveiled two monuments celebrating the memory of the French and British troop commanders and of their respective allies. A short ceremony was held at Des Braves Park, site of the confrontation.

Michel Binette, the sculptor, created two finely chiselled bronze works complementing each other, which are worthy representations of generals Lévis and Murray. The sculptures are laid on granite pedestals and bear an inscription paying tribute to the generals who led the French and British troops. Nearby, an interpretation panel evokes the Battle of Sainte-Foy, Des Braves Monument, and the park that bears the same name.

In April 1760, Lévis left Montréal with his army and marched towards Québec City. Informed of the arrival of enemy troops, Murray immediately gathered up his men. In the morning of April 28, he took up position on the Heights of Abraham.

Assailed by enemy fire, Lévis then ordered his men to withdraw and form a battle line. Mistakenly believing that the French had retreated, Murray was compelled to leave his position and make a rush in pursuit of the French army, towards the Dumont Mill.

There followed a terrible hand-to-hand combat in which the French troops initiated a double encircling manoeuvre. The two British wings were crushed in the centre. Murray ordered a retreat to avoid being totally surrounded, and the army was put to flight. It was a victory for the French.

For more information, consult the section concerning the 1759-1760 battles.

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Great Battles of Québec and most particularly the Battle of Sainte-Foy, the National Battlefields Commission presents 1759-1760: Witnesses tell their stories, a historic review of the difficult conditions prevailing during the conflict which tore through the British and French troops, the inhabitants of New-France and the Native Americans Nations. Through animated lectures offered by the protagonists from the period, 26 interprets will portray more than 110 characters on stage, at the Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand. A significant moment of our history in which the victims were from all origins: military, civilian and Native Americans.

To better understand the circumstances, the public will discover the context surrounding the Great Battles through the eyes of the soldiers, leaders, militias, Native American, residents and other witnesses of that period.

As they await an assault from the British, famine, corruption and transgressions occur within the colony. Quarrels spawn at the head of the armies while the Natives alliances come to effect. The population lives in a constant state of fear and anguish. Bombardments intensify, prayers multiply. Raids, exactions, skirmishes, destruction… At war, reprehensible gestures are common practice. Thousands of dead. Reddition was near. The only thing left to do is to honour those who fought for their homeland, at the risk of their lives.

Inspired by sources from the period, this historic presentation, although partial, is an authentic testimonial, alive and touching of the conditions lived by the population during these crucial times of the Seven Years War in America; between the unofficial beginning of the hostilities in 1754 and September 1760. Two giant maps which offer a bird’s eye view of the conflict can be consulted near the stage.

Presented in 2009, a first historic review came to be as State of War, to underline the 250^th anniversary of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham (September 13, 1759). 1759-1760: Witnesses tell their stories covers again this same period while pursuing beyond the Battle of Sainte-Foy (April 28, 1760)

This 90 minute presentation will take place outdoors, at the Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand, Saturday July 3rd and on Sunday July 4 at 9 p.m. We suggest that people attending bring their own chairs. Parking will be made available for 7$ near the bandstand. To enter, take Wolfe Avenue across from the Musée National des beaux-arts du Québec, and head for the Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand where our parking attendant expects you at the green tent.