Maison Saint-Gabriel Museum and Historic Site

The Maison Saint-Gabriel Museum and Historic Site is at 2146 Place Dublin in Pointe-Saint-Charles, Montreal, Quebec. The farm was bought in 1668 by Marguerite Bourgeoys for the Congrégation de Notre-Dame, and the present stone farmhouse was rebuilt in 1698. The house supported the community through farming and became a refuge where Bourgeoys welcomed and trained the filles du roi, women sent from France in the 17th century to marry and settle in New France. As a museum, it presents daily life in the colony between the 17th and 19th centuries, with period rooms furnished with objects from those centuries, including a kitchen, bedrooms, and work spaces. The building is a long stone farmhouse with thick walls, small windows, a large chimney, and an attic roof frame of massive timbers that is considered an exceptional example of early colonial carpentry. It is a National Historic Site and has been conserved through restoration campaigns that left its original fabric visible. The curatorial approach is immersive and thematic, with guided visits and activities that interpret the farm economy, the role of women, and the religious community, and the grounds include gardens and farm elements. Tours are offered in several formats, including activities for families and school groups. The museum lies in a residential area close to the Lachine Canal, and a visit takes about 90 minutes. It offers an unusual view of rural life within what is now an urban neighbourhood and shows how Montreal's surroundings were once farmland.