In 2024, we are celebrating the 200th 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!
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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
[Two more summer and fall presentations will be added here soon!]
Fall
Current Exhibits
In honour of the LHSQ’s 200th 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 200th 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 19th century. On display: January 6–April 15.
The LHSQ Library & its Collections: Documents about the library catalogue and collections in the 19th 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
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
- Postponed, new date tbc – Library Lectures: Ann Shteir
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