The Gatineau Valley Historical Society is tentatively planning a resumption of its public programs and activities this fall. Any reopening will follow all government guidelines. Please mark your calendars for the following dates.

Monday, September 20, 7:30 pm (either by Zoom or in person, if permitted)
We are pleased to announce Dr. Gilbert Whiteduck as our first speaker for the 2021-22 season. Gilbert Whiteduck was chief of the band council of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation from 2008-2015, and is currently a director on the GVHS board. He will talk broadly about the Algonquin Anishinaabe in the Gatineau. A not-to-be missed talk!

Monday, October 18, 7:30 pm
Details to follow.

Monday, October 18, 7:30 pm
Local historian Rick Henderson will speak about his recently published book, Capital Chronicles

Release of the new Up the Gatineau!

We’re pleased to announce the release of the newest volume of Up the Gatineau!, a local history journal which the Society has been publishing every year since 1975. 

Volume 47 for 2021 features a dozen stories, penned by new and returning contributors including:

• Valérie Crevier
• Frances Curry
• Brian Doyle
• J. William Galbraith
• RJ Hughes
• Margaret Phillips
• Geoffrey Rider
• Louise Schwartz
• Jacques Tardivel
• John E. Trent
• Susan Trudeau
• The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson

All GVHS members receive a complimentary copy as part of their membership benefits. We encourage the purchase of memberships to help support the Society’s work. Volume 47, Up the Gatineau! will be available in June at a number of local Gatineau Valley retail outlets.

The price of the new volume is $15; this is our first price increase since 2013. Please note that the price of all earlier volumes will remain at their current levels (ranging from $8 to $10). The price for a complete set of volumes 1 to 47 remains $160, the same price as it was in 2020, when it had one less volume. See Order Volumes to purchase copies or contact publications@gvhs.ca for more information. If you order directly from the Society there is no added sales tax.

Winner of the Arthur Davison Prize

Enlarge

Congratulations to Wakefield poet and storyteller Mary Lou Van Schaik, the winner of the 2021 Arthur Davison Prize for her outstanding article in Volume 46 of Up the Gatineau!

Mary Lou's article "You can't say no to Norma" profiles the remarkable life of a beloved Wakefield community activist and local historian, nonagenarian Norma Geggie. Mary Lou carried out considerable research, primarily through wide-ranging conversations with her subject, and interviews with multiple sources in the community. Through her eloquent voice and fluid writing style, she has presented readers with thoughtful insights into a unique Gatineau Valley personage.

In the absence again this year of the Annual GVHS Dinner and Awards, the award was presented to Mary Lou today at the historic Les Trois Erables, the onetime Geggie family residence and “Doctors’ house”.

Official Opening
The Blackburn Pioneer Cemetery (1842 - 1920)

This heritage site is a memorial to Cantley’s early pioneers,
and to Cantley’s first European settler, Andrew Blackburn.

Official Opening - plaque unveiling and guided Tour
Saturday, July 17th (rain date: Sunday, July 18th) - 2:00 pm*
* Date subject to change. COVID-19 regulations will be strictly followed.

The cemetery will be permanently open to the public after official opening.
60, chemin River, Cantley QC

If you are interested in attending the event, you must register by email (before July 5) info.cantley1889@gmail.com
We will let you know the latest plans and COVID protocols and when a video of the event will be available.

For cemetery information, visit The Blackburn Pioneer Cemetery.
For information about the Official Opening, see poster

Cascades Club 1920-2020
Cascades Club 1920-2020 is a new publication published to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the Cascadess Club. See Publications for more information.