Bienvenue sur les plaines d'Abraham

For the 250th anniversary of the battle of the Plains of Abraham and the battle of Sainte-Foy, the National Battlefields Commission was eager to remind us of the significant participation of the Amerindian Nations to the Seven Years’ War in America. Launched last September 22, the new book L’Annedda, l’arbre de vie broadens our knowledge of the First Nations’ contribution to our history, and is meant as a tribute to the annedda, the tree of life that helped cure Jacques Cartier’s crew of scurvy in 1536.

For historian Jacques Mathieu, giving back to the tree its name “annedda”, reconstructing its identity and recalling its properties means to recognize the contribution of North America’s First Nations to our civilization. “A living, highly symbolic monument that emphasizes the age-old alliances between peoples,” says the historian, who also sits on the board of directors of the National Battlefields Commission.

Contributors Alain Asselin, ethnobotanist, André Juneau, chairman of the National Battlefields Commission, and Gilles Barbeau, pharmacologist, surround Jacques Mathieu, historian and author.

In the sixteenth century, botanical science revealed the existence of a new tree of life originating from Canada and the Amerindians. The infatuation with this tree of life was such that it spread at dazzling speed and rapidly found itself in all Western European countries. However, the reasons behind its name and the species’ identity were quickly lost, although some specimens were offered to King François 1er of France and transplanted in his gardens at Fontainebleau.

The history of this tree gave rise to a wide range of research and answers intended to resolve an enigma that was almost 500 years old. Mr. Mathieu invites the reader to follow him through this historic investigation of the mystery surrounding the annedda’s identity.

A retired Université Laval professor, Jacques Mathieu specializes in the history of New France and collective memories. He has conducted research work in collaboration with scientists from various fields. His published works include: Entre poudrés et pouilleux (2008), Le jeu des apparences à Paris au XVIIe siècle (2008), The Plains of Abraham, The Search for the Ideal (1993, in collaboration with Eugen Kedl), the work L’Occupation des terres dans la vallée du Saint-Laurent (1991, with Alain Laberge), and Le premier livre de plantes du Canada (1990).

The book sells (in French only) for $15.75 (tax included) and is available at the Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham, 835, Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue, level 0, Québec.

The Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), or War of the Conquest in Canada, or French and Indian War for the Americans, is a major conflict that is sometimes compared to a world war by the very number of the operations theatres (Europe, North America, India) and the number of countries involved. This conflict mainly pitted together France and Great Britain, and Austria against Prussia, but, by reason of different interests, several Européen courtise and their colonies were also involved in this war. The hostilities officially began in 1756, but the confrontations started earlier in 1754, in the North American colonies, with a series of skirmishes and battles (The Jumonville affair and the attack of Fort Necessity) before degenerating into an all out war in Europe.

Represent geographically the Seven Years’ War over the entire North American territory, from the Ohio Valley to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, showing, for both the French and the British troops:

Access
- Year round: $8/18-64 years old; $7/13-17 years old and 65 or over; free for children 12 years old or under.
- From June 25 to September 7, 2009 (including Abraham’s Bus and Martello Tower 1): $10/18-64 years old; $8/13-17 years old and 65 or over; $3/12 or under.

The new book bu historians Hélène Quimper and Jacques Lacoursière is available year-round in the gift shop of the Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham, 835 Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue, level 0, Quebec City, at the price of $26.25 (tax included).

For three centuries, the battle of the Plains of Abraham and the battle of Sainte-Foy prompted artists to express their observations or give free rein to their interpretations. These individuals created works that, assembled in an exhibition, propose a special way of looking at these events.

Presentation of approximately forty works connected with the battle of the Plains of Abraham and the battle of Sainte-Foy. It will be possible to see, among other things, the main protagonists, scenes of the battles, as well as images of the bombarded city. An exhibition catalogue is also available.

Place and access
Room no. 1, at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec.
Entrance fee.

The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec designed the exhibition and the National Battlefields Commission produced the exhibition catalogue. Hélène Quimper, Commission historian, wrote the historical essay and Daniel Drouin, the Museum’s curator, the fine arts essay. Published in 1000 copies, this work, with its 136 pages, is available in the gift shop of the Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham, 835 Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue, level 0, Quebec City, at the price of $31.50 (tax included).

The Seven Years War (1756-1763), the War of the Conquest for Canadians, or the French and Indian War for Americans, was a major conflict that mainly pitted against each other France and Great Britain and Austria against Prussia, but for various reasons of interest, several European countries and their colonies were involved in the conflict. On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham and of the Battle of Sainte-Foy, which were significant chapters in the history of this war, it is appropriate to reflect on this event and its repercussions.

Historians from Canada, the United States, France and England propose to give lectures on the historical context, the political stakes, the military strategies, the participation of militiamen and Natives, and the world wide repercussions of the Seven Years War.

On last September 14, the National Battlefields Commission, in conjunction with the Société généalogique canadienne-française, launched the book Combattre pour la France en Amérique – Les soldats de la guerre de Sept Ans en Nouvelle-France 1755-1760, in the presence of Mrs. Hélène Le Gal, Consul General of France in Québec. This unpublished research and compilation work of outstanding magnitude includes information on approximately 7,500 French combatants. It is the result of three years of work researching the Canadian, British and French archives, and its launching marks the 250th anniversary of the great Québec battles (1759-1760).

Hélène Le Gal, Consul General of France in Québec, Gisèle Monarque, chairwoman of the Société généalogique canadienne-française, Marcel Fournier, Director of the Montcalm Project, and André Juneau, chairman of the National Battlefields Commission.

The book, which contains 624 pages, includes a historical section on the Seven Years War, the regiments of the Marquis de Montcalm in Acadia and Canada, the participation of the Troupes de la Marine, and the departure of the ships. A biographical section provides biographical notes on some 7,500 officers and soldiers belonging to the land forces who fought in New France between 1755 and 1760. The register helps identify the combatants who came to this country, who were wed and who gave their lives for their country. Numerous illustrations, including portraits of officers, period prints of the soldiers, the battlefields and the country of origin of several officers, complete this reference work.

The book sells (in French only) for $65 (tax included) and is available at the Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham, 835, Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue, level 0, Québec.

The National Battlefields Commission wishes to honour the memory of the combatants who participated in the battles of 1759 and 1760.

A new monument will be erected on the site of the Plains of Abraham confrontation. A solemn, fairly reverential ceremony will be held in the presence of descendants.

Jean-Pierre Lagueux and Christian Lagueux (in uniforms of Compagnie franche de la Marine), both teachers and jointly responsible for the project "Reproductions of historical objects" at the Commission scolaire de la Beauce-Etchemin, surround Governor general Vaudreuil, Louise Germain, the National Battlefields Commission’s assistant secretary and a French boatswain for the launching of the Brown Basin summer activities, opening its doors free of charge to the public from the summer.

The 2009 Brown Basin Exhibition prize
awarded to a student who participated in the exhibition
presentedat Brown Basin during the summer of 2009:
Mélina Maheux, 4th secondary
Polyvalente Bélanger - Saint-Martin
Other recipients (available in French only)

Inaugurated in 2008 to mark the city’s 400th anniversary, this remarkable site bordering the St. Lawrence River will welcome visitors to its interpretation centre without charge from next June 24 to September 7. For a second year, the Quebec Port Authority has entrusted the Commission with the task of hosting and interpreting this Canadian Government legacy.

Inside the building, the public will discover four history related thematics:

- Student Masterworks, replicas of New France historical objects created by secondary school students;

- The exhibition Between River and Cliff, on the development of Brown Basin over the years;

- The multimedia exhibition Québec 1759-1760, Battlefield Between Two Empires for the 250th anniversary of the battles, including film and scale model;

- The Clear the Deck for Action! activity concerning seafaring life in the 18th century.

Place
615 E Champlain Blvd, Québec (at the foot of the Cap Blanc stairs)

Schedule
From June 24 to September 7, 2009

The Quebec battles are known as genuine European style battles, whereas raids and ambush warfare were typical of the altercations taking place in America. The use of smoothbore weaponry can explain some of the strategies used on the battlefield, as well as the bloody consequences that befell the soldiers.

Two officers from that era will offer you an interactive face-off illustrating the hidden side of the two great Quebec confrontations. This historical activity will give visitors and their families a chance to discover a few aspects of the operation of muskets, and the rudimentary care given to the wounded.