For Montreal, for you.
Founded on October 15, 1975, under the presidency of Phyllis Lambert, Héritage Montréal is celebrating 50 years of action and proposals for the protection and enhancement of the architectural, historical, natural, and cultural heritage of communities in the greater metropolitan area and throughout Quebec. For half a century, the organization has been working to ensure that heritage, in all its diversity, is recognized for its value in community life, particularly in the identity of the city.
Heritage in all its diversity
Buildings and landscapes, neighborhoods and routes, memory and ingenuity. Our heritage is as much the mountain and the river as it is the grey stone of Old Montreal and the red brick of plexes with their wrought staircases, churches and neighborhood businesses, streets and views, the Lachine Canal or Silo No. 5, alleys and parks. It shapes the identity of the metropolis, nurtures a sense of belonging and inspires attachment and commitment. That's why it unites and mobilizes thousands of people: young and old, owners and non-owners alike, who want these places to be part of community life, today and tomorrow.
Protecting heritage, from past to future
Fifty years ago, citizens rallied against the indiscriminate demolition of buildings and entire neighborhoods. Today, the perception of heritage has broadened, and while we continue to be concerned about the disappearance of these places that hold memories, we also think about heritage from an environmental and social perspective. That is why Héritage Montréal to advocate for heritage protection that responds to current and future challenges. So that redevelopment and rehabilitation replace demolition and become synonymous with development.
It's in this spirit that we continue to raise awareness, equip and support public decision-makers, professionals, owners and citizens alike, so that heritage remains, is cherished, is put to good use and is treated as a legacy to be received and passed on, enriched by current, relevant and high-quality contributions.
50 years of concrete commitment
Over five decades, Héritage Montréal contributed to the recognition and preservation of iconic sites such as Mount Royal, Milton Park, Habitat 67, Hôtel-Dieu, Villa Maria, Fulford House, Silo No. 5, and Chinatown, as well as the industrial and modest heritage of neighbourhoods. Through its memoirs and analyses, its ArchitecTours and Au cœur de la métropole guided tours, its Memento platform, and its Support and Mobilization Service (SAM), the organization raises awareness and encourages action.
"Treating our built and landscape heritage as an asset and a non-renewable resource, rather than as a series of objects, means demanding that we take care of it and intervene with intelligence and relevance. At a time when we are experiencing a call for urban densification in the face of the housing and climate crises, it offers an essential benchmark and models to inspire development on a human scale that builds a metropolis that is sustainable, inclusive and proud of its identity."
Dinu Bumbaru, Policy Director, Héritage Montréal
For Montreal, for you. Héritage Montréal through:
- Cultural mediation: visits, discussions and exchanges to discover and understand the city.
- Reflection and representation: studies, briefs, committees and consultations to ensure that the voice of heritage is heard.
- Citizen tools: the Memento platform and online resources to encourage mobilization.
- Support: SAM supports NPOs and citizens' groups in their redevelopment projects.
For 50 years, hundreds of volunteers have been the lifeblood of the organization. Their expertise, their passion and the new generation they inspire ensure the continuity of an essential mission: to protect our heritage and build a better future.
