Les lignées fondatrices : En quête de l’Acadie gaspésienne
Bonaventure, January 20, 2026 — Over the past year, the Musée acadien du Québec (MAQ) has celebrated its 35th anniversary. To conclude these celebrations, the MAQ has chosen to revisit the founding period that led to its creation. From February 1 to May 17, 2026, the public is invited to discover Les lignées fondatrices : En quête de l’Acadie gaspésienne, an exhibition highlighting two Gaspesian families who played a decisive role in preserving the Acadian heritage of Gaspésie.
In the 1960s, Acadians in Gaspésie saw their heritage rapidly disappearing before their eyes. Trucks filled with objects left the region, most often bound for the United States. In Bonaventure and Carleton-sur-Mer, two women, Juliette Gauthier-Barette and Évelyne Allard-Landry, decided to take action. By founding the first Acadian museums, they became actively involved in preserving this collective memory. Over the years, their initiative inspired other members of their families, who in turn became historians, collectors, ethnologists, and artists eager to represent their native land.
" The project was born following a meeting with Rodrigue Gauthier. He told us about his family, his brothers, his aunt Juliette, and Bona Arsenault. They were a family of collectors, historians, and artists who were passionate about Acadia. That was the starting point and primary inspiration for the exhibition," says Jeannot Bourdages, curator of the MAQ.
Through its scenography, the exhibition transports visitors back to the era of these pioneers who were committed to preserving heritage. Visitors can discover speeches by Bona Arsenault, objects belonging to Captain Allard, works by the Gauthier brothers, and various pieces from our collections. The experience continues with the consultation of photographic and television archives, in an atmosphere reminiscent of old-fashioned family slide shows.
The exhibition opening will take place on Sunday, February 1, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the MAQ.
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