On October 15, 2020, the President of the Foundation, Carole Deniger, and the Director of Policy, Dinu Bumbaru, share their thoughts on this founding date and the years to come.
A foundation at the service of citizens
On October 15, 1975, gouvernement du Québec granted letters patent to the Héritage Montréal Foundation. A few days later, under the founding presidency of Phyllis Lambert, the first meeting of the Board of Directors was held.
In Europe, the year 1975 was devoted to architectural heritage. Here, closely following the creation of Sauvons Montréal in the wake of the demolition of the Van Horne Mansion in 1973, Héritage Montréal was born, an organization that continues to act independently and non-partisan, in the service of heritage and urban development of collective interest.
Among the articles of these letters patent is the organization's objective to "encourage and promote the protection of the historical, architectural, natural and cultural heritage of the communities of the province of Quebec".
It's a reminder that if Héritage Montréal is a defender of heritage, it's at the service of the community and its citizens, in Montreal and elsewhere. This protection is everyone's business, but first and foremost that of property owners and public authorities, so our action has been to inform, educate and help develop tools to safeguard, enhance and enrich our heritage. Finally, our letters patent lay the foundations for an avant-garde vision of heritage that unites nature, culture and architecture.
In short, 45 years later, we must thank the founders who had the vision to give us a mission that is still as relevant in 2020. While the massive demolitions of the 1960s and 1970s led to the erection of regulatory defences, today's challenges are more concerned with giving heritage a new function in community life, both in the downtown core and in neighbourhoods whose authenticity must also be ensured. In short, there will be no shortage of work to accomplish this mission over the coming decades.
Long live Heritage Montreal!
Dinu Bumbaru, Director of Corporate PolicyHéritage Montréal
45 years old, the age of maturity and experience!
For 45 years, Héritage Montréal has been protecting and enhancing the built and landscape heritage of Greater Montreal. Built on a foundation of citizen mobilization, education and awareness-raising, influence and representation with the leaders of our city, our province and our country, the history ofHéritage Montréal continues to be written today.
As we were to celebrate this anniversary with our friends, partners and donors this October, the pandemic forced us to revisit this and other projects. But we wanted to mark this commemorative date, October 15.
Over the next five years, Héritage Montréal aims to build on its network of partners and continue to develop the metropolis by promoting its architectural and heritage identity, both in the downtown area and in the neighborhoods and towns of the metropolitan region. We aim to strengthen our team, raise public awareness and play an active role in the redevelopment of buildings in the greater Montreal area and beyond, by developing innovative approaches and tools and highlighting inspiring experiences.
Our fight for heritage is not over, and we are counting on you to accompany us throughout this journey.
Carole Deniger, Chairman of the Board of DirectorsHéritage Montréal
The Pint of Milk, PHOTO: FOREST CORNER 
Milton-Parc, PHOTO : HÉRITAGE MONTRÉAL
Would you like to support our mission? Our 2020 fundraising campaign is currently underway. Click here to make a donation.
