The creation of the Fort Saint-Jean Museum
  1965 - 2005

The museum was created in 1965, when the artefacts and documents collection recounting Fort Saint-Jean area's military past was moved from the library to the old guard house built in the 19th century by the Royal Engineers.

The museum, which at its very beginnings was not open to the public, slowly expanded its collection over the years. On May 30, 1973, Fort Saint-Jean Museum was officially recognized as a Canadian Forces Museum. After nearly ten years of existence, the museum was finally open to the public on May 6, 1974.

Thanks to the CMR Ex-Cadets Club and General Dallaire, among others, the permanent exhibition was completely renewed. For many years the museum has received visitors from across Canada, military and civilians alike, and introduced them to Fort Saint-Jean's rich military past, Fort Saint-Jean (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu) being with Québec city the only city in Canada that has known non-stop military occupation since the French regime.

 

 

The Museum’s Charter

From now on, the old guard house (building number 26) of the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, Province of Québec, will be known as:

Fort Saint-Jean Museum.

The Collège militaire royal shall acknowledge it as a non-public institution that shall be managed according to the Canadian Forces Administrative Orders (CFAO 27-5).

The people in charge mentioned below declare that the museum’s goal will be to preserve fort Saint-Jean’s military legacy so that the current and future generations will be taught about this legacy and be able to preserve it.

J.A.R. Vandal, Colonel commanding the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean

David Ruddy, History Graduate assistant and Museum Curator

 

The sixth day of April, 1974




David Daniel Ruddy

founder of C.M.R. Saint-Jean Museum in 1965

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Paul Jenkins

C.M.R. Saint-Jean Museum's Assistant and Curator from 1970 to 1974

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Jacques Castonguay

Official Historian - C.M.R. Saint-Jean

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The Museum

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