Next Event(s)

Annual General Meeting and Archives Open House

Monday, February 17, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Chelsea Library, 100 Old Chelsea Road, Chelsea QC

The AGM will start promptly at 7:30 pm with elections and distribution of our annual reports followed by our archives open house program.

Following this, there will be a presentation highlighting some interesting 2019 acquisitions to our photo collection, including photos from Ernie Mahoney, the McCord Museum, Bill Reid, and many more. We will also preview the latest website projects – the local clubs archives, Bill McGee's Gatineau Park map collection, and additions and upgrades to the online clippings and image banks.

Nominations for the Board of Directors will be accepted until February 14, 2020 - contact info@gvhs.ca.

Relevant documents for this meeting will be posted as they become available.

~ Film Presentation ~
Driving into the Past - A History of Covered Bridges in Quebec

Monday, March 16, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Larrimac Golf Club, 1148 Rte. 105, Chelsea QC

During the heyday of covered-bridge building in Canada, at least 900 covered bridges were built in Quebec. Today 81 remain.

She examines different bridge-building styles and follows the restoration of a covered bridge in Eustis. She looks at the way in which covered bridges have connected communities literally, and, more recently, figuratively, as preservationists have worked together to save or reconstruct these historical buildings.

Louise is a professional writer, photographer, and documentary filmmaker in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. She has dedicated most of her career to exploring the culture, heritage, and natural environment of rural and indigenous communities in Canada and abroad as well as the social and environmental challenges facing these communities.

The Paugan Falls Albums

Monday, April 20th 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Wakefield Library, 38 Valley Drive, Wakefield QC

"Everybody's talking about something frightening and exciting. Somebody's going to build a dam. Right here. And the falls will disappear."

These words from the title character in Brian Doyle's Mary Ann Alice express the child-like wonder and anxiety about the looming natural and social upheaval that would soon change life forever when the Paugan Dam was built in 1926-28.

Don Kealey and Marc Cockburn will present a series of rare photos, maps, documents, and aerial photos drawn from the McCord Museum, Hydro Quebec Archives, the GVHS, and the NAPL to illustrate how the Gatineau River appeared and changed during the 10 years leading to the construction of the Paugan Dam, and how it affected the local farmers and vacationers in the area.

Don Kealey is the well-known local author of Low Municipality - Reflections of the Past. Marc Cockburn, the President of the GVHS, has done research and presentations on the flooding of the lower Gatineau River and the Up to Low! display for the NAC production of the same name.

Past Events

Remembrance Day Ceremony
November 11, 2019

The Gatineau Valley Historical Society welcomed the community to its 34th annual Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Pioneer Cemetery in Chelsea.

This year's Master of Ceremonies, Chelsea Councillor and former UN Peacekeeper, Greg McGuire, invited various military, federal, provincial and municipal government levels, community groups - churches, Scouts, elementary school students and special guests to lay their wreaths at the grave of Private Richard Rowland Thompson.
Read more.

Transfer of Chelsea Pioneer Cemetery and Cenotaph

A ceremony handing over the Chelsea Pioneer Cemetery & Cenotaph on Highway 105 to the Municipality of Chelsea was held October 7, 2019. The occasion also highlighted the recent completion of a $30,000 renovation project funded by a generous $25,000 gift from late Past President, Carol Martin, with the balance from GVHS & the municipality. The project was led by former Board member André Renaud with the assistance of the GVHS Board and members of the community.

The annual Remembrance Day ceremony will continue to be hosted by the Gatineau Valley Historical Society on the site. Read more.

Other past events.