200th Anniversary of the LHSQ

In 2024, we are celebrating the 200^th anniversary of the founding of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, and we have a year full of special programming planned across our three pillars, Heritage, Education, and the Arts!

On this page, you will find an evolving timeline of events and activities from our commemorative project LHSQ200. Enjoy!

Stay up-to-date on upcoming programming by signing up for our newsletter

Contribute financially to the 200^th anniversary here.

New Gift Shop Items

In honor of the 200th anniversary of the LHSQ, the Morrin Centre has created and registered a tartan for the Society!

Three items made from our tartan are available for sale at the Morrin Centre: scarves, bandanas, and bowties.

For more information or to reserve items, contact Hee-Won Son at heewonson@morrin.org.

On this important year, the Morrin Centre partnered with the Maison des 100 thés to create two exclusive teas for the Morrin Centre.

These two teas, Domestic Chemistry and Poet’s Dream, are available in the Morrin Centre gift shot.

Would you like to learn more about the artifacts in the LHSQ Library as well as the Library itself? Stop by the Morrin Centre to purchase Reading the Objects Around Us: A Guide to the LHSQ Library.

Reading the Objects Around Us is available for sale in the Morrin Centre gift shop.

Upcoming Events & Exhibits

This list will be updated as the year progresses. Visit often or sign up for our newsletter to stay updated!

Events

Throughout the Year

History Talks: Throughout the year, the Morrin Centre will offer history talks to the public.

December 18, 2024 – Library Lectures: Mairi Cowan
January 9, 2025 – Library Lectures: Ann Shteir
March 11, 2025 – Library Lectures: Tommy Byrne

Winter

1824 – Historical Gala: This special event presents the history and culture of the founding era of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec in a most attractive setting: a costumed gala with music, theatre, group activities, and a meal. The Morrin Centre invites you to immerse yourself in history to better understand it. The afternoon will include games, dance, poetry, and music, followed by an evening banquet with a three-course meal presented with the help of a food historian, to delight the taste buds just as much as the mind.

The event will take place on Saturday, February 15. More information will be available soon.

Current Exhibits

In honour of the LHSQ’s 200^th anniversary, a series of book exhibits will explore the rich history of our institution through its collections. These rotating exhibits will be on display in and around the Library.

James MacPherson LeMoine (LHSQ President 1871, 1879–1882 & 1902–1903): Discover more about this fascinating Quebec City figure through his writings on topics from history to ornithology. April 27–

Past Events & Exhibits

Past Exhibits

In honour of the LHSQ’s 200^th anniversary, a series of book exhibits will explore the rich history of our institution. These rotating exhibits will be on display in and around the Library.

Past Exhibits:

Celebrating 200 Years of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec: An overview of the Society’s intellectual interests in the 19^th century. On display: January 6–April 15.

The LHSQ Library & its Collections: Documents about the library catalogue and collections in the 19^th century. On display: January 6–March 15.

The LHSQ, the Morrin Centre, and the Library in Poetry: Featuring poems by local poets (also part of the Morrin In Verse project). On display: January 6–March 15.

The Archive of Missing Things

The Archive of Missing Things: Numerous participants experienced The Archive of Missing Things, part live performance and part contemplative game, in the Morrin Centre’s exquisite Victorian library. Equipped with an iPad and a headset, they explored a maze-like archive in search of the secret at its centre, guided by clues in a live performance happening discreetly around them. Created by Halifax’s acclaimed Zuppa Theatre with award-winning writer Kate Cayley, this performance, alongside a digital book and game, presents a mystery that is beautiful, wistful… and sometimes even a little eerie.

The Archive of Missing Things was presented eight times during the month of June 2024.

June 12 – 7 PM
June 13 – 7 PM
June 14 – 2 PM – 7 PM
June 15 – 12 PM – 5 PM
June 16 – 12 PM – 5 PM

The History of Emily Montague

The History of Emily Montague Project: For the 200^th anniversary of the LHSQ, and the 300^th anniversary of author Frances Brooke, we partnered with Université Laval to explore Brooke’s The History of Emily Montague (1769), which is considered by some to be the first Canadian novel! Participants joined us in reading the fascinating epistolary novel over three sessions, and many more joined us for an exciting free event about The History of Emily Montague on Saturday, May 11.

Exterior Projections

Exterior Projections: From April 9 through 13, the Morrin Centre celebrated the 200th of the LHSQ and the 15th of Imagination with the captivating projections of ILLUMINATED — 200 Years of the LHSQ on the Morrin Centre’s facade and the annex of the Maison de la littérature.

At 8:00 P.M. and 9:15 P.M., passers-by discovered an architectural video projection on the facade of the Morrin Centre, where three Quebec artists interpret, in their own way, an important moment of LHSQ history each. The projection lasts 40 minutes in total and was presented twice per evening.

From 7:30 to 11:00 P.M., passers-by could see local authors write live, in English and in French, on the annex of the Maison de la littérature.

7:30-8:20 PM + 9:30-10:10 PM = ENG
8:30-9:20 PM + 10:20-11:00 PM = FR

April 9: Erin Bow, Virginie Chaloux
April 10: Louisa Blair + Diogo Mochcovitch, Carolane Foucher
April 11: Sean Michaels, Anne Marie Desmeules
April 12: Éric Dupont, Peter McCambridge
April 13: Kelley Armstrong, Éric Dupont + Peter McCambridge

History Talks

History Talks: throughout the year, at least once a month, the Morrin Centre offers History Talks to the public.

January 6 – Louisa Blair
February 7 – Building our Community: Sports
February 22 – Building our Community: Architecture
March 13 – Building our Community: Health and Social Services
March 16 – Culinary Mosaic: Quebec Culinary History [in French]
March 21 – Building our Community: Charitable Organisations
March 24 – Culinary Mosaic: Quebec Culinary History
May 11 – The History of Emily Montague: Symposium
July 18 – There’s a Bulldozer on Home Plate: Book and Baseball Talk with Miles Wolff
September 26 – Library Lectures: Eli MacLaren
October 8 – Rob Lutes – The Stories behind the Songs

January 6, 2024 - The Launch Event

On January 6, 2024, the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec turned 200 years old!

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the LHSQ’s founding, the Morrin Centre hosted a members-only special 5 à 7 featuring a cocktail, a lively talk by Louisa Blair, and a concert, among others. Those in attendance got an exclusive preview of the special events and activities that are in store for the year-long celebration.

5:00 p.m. – Cocktail in the library

5:45 p.m. – Guests move to College Hall

6:00 p.m.
– Opening remarks (Gina Farnell, LHSQ president)
– Word from Ms. Mélissa Coulombe-Leduc, Quebec City municipal councilor, Cap-au-Diamants
– Word from the Honorable J. Michel Doyon, Lieutenant Governor of Québec

6:05 p.m. – Concert by the Orchestre symphonique de Québec
6:35 p.m. – Talk by Louisa Blair
7:35 p.m. – Short presentations by the Morrin Centre team
7:45 p.m. – Tea and cake