This category of posts introduces you to the role ofHéritage Montréal employees and volunteers. Amélie Roy-Bergeron joined Héritage Montréal in September 2019 as Activities Coordinator (replacing Joëlle Perron-Oddo, currently on maternity leave). She helps coordinate our activities such as ArchitecTours and Renovation Lessons, as well as producing content (blog posts, videos). Here's her profile!
Héritage Montréal and you
Can you introduce yourself quickly (your studies, your background...)?
I completed a master's degree in history at UQAM on the history of the Village of Lorimier, a historical component of the Plateau-Mont-Royal. During my studies, I worked with the Laboratoire d'histoire et de patrimoine de Montréal as well as with the Société d'histoire du Plateau-Mont-Royal and the Société de sauvegarde du patrimoine de Pointe-Claire. I quickly realized the importance of these players and of concrete action on a small scale for Montreal's heritage as a whole.
What does your job involve? A typical day at Héritage Montréal?
With the help of Laure Barrachina, Director of Programmes and Activities, I juggle between coordinating the different activities and preparing the content beforehand. Between the contacts with the public, the different partners and my colleagues, I also work on developing the different activities we offer. I'm also the organization's gateway - so I'm in touch with citizens who are concerned about Montreal's heritage. I love the versatility that this position demands of me - the days go by quickly!
What is your favourite ArchitecTours tour?
Last year's ArchitecTours focused on the architecture of work. I really enjoyed the Rosemont district tour, which took participants through the site of the former Angus workshops. I have always been fascinated by this immense and completely transformed site.
What activities or content would you like to create at Héritage Montréal?
I would very much like to do activities with primary or secondary school-age youth on local heritage in the neighbourhoods: schools, living environments, etc. I would like to do the same with the young people of the neighbourhood. I think that interest in history in general can start with the history of one's street, school, neighbourhood.
You and Montreal
What is the building you like the most in your neighbourhood?
I lived for a long time in front of Barracks 26, the old town hall in the village of De Lorimier, one of the historic components of the Plateau-Mont-Royal. Since my master's thesis was on this very village, I always had a rather close relationship with the building. I was delighted with the project to integrate a cultural presentation room: finally, we were going to be able to have access to this building. Unfortunately, the work revealed major structural failures and the building is now completely deconstructed. I look forward to the resumption of work!
Second image: Fire station no. 26 (2151, avenue du Mont-Royal Est, at the corner of avenue des Érables), built in 1901, circa 1920, VM94,Z476, Archives de la Ville de Montréal.
What was your last crush on a building/landscape in Montreal?
Recently, I was at the University of Montreal with a team of guides for the preparation of this season's ArchitecTours. One of them told us that on a beautiful day, we could see the University cross, the dome of St. Joseph's Oratory and Lake St. Louis in succession. It is a magnificent view that represents Montreal well.
The city, the elsewhere
What city would you recommend to visit (outside of Montreal)?
I've travelled a lot in Asia in the last few years. I particularly like the effervescence of the big Asian metropolises like Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). We must leave behind our reflexes and habits to fully appreciate the intensity of this city.
Heritage and you
Do you have a book on architecture, history, urban planning or heritage to recommend?
The book Quartiers disparus, as well as the exhibition from which it is taken, is fascinating. The boiling life of these working-class neighbourhoods has been encapsulated in a series of photos that are almost surreal when you look at what the neighbourhoods have become (the site of the Radio-Canada tower, the Jeanne-Mance dwellings and the Expo 67 Autostadium). I also recommend the podcasts from the same exhibition that allow us to hear testimonies from the expropriated residents.
And finally, tell us something about yourself that your colleagues atHéritage Montréal don't know...
I'm a big fan of documentaries of all kinds, especially true crime!
