Memory Houses III – The Cyr House

Bonaventure, January 16, 2024 — The Musée acadien du Québec (MAQ) is pleased to present the third installment in its exhibition series Maisons Mémoire. This exhibition project highlights Acadian heritage through ancestral homes, and this time we present the history of La maison Cyr, located in Maria, in the Gaspé Peninsula! On display from January 30 to May 19, 2024, this exhibition tells the story of the Cyr family and its role in schooner building in Baie-des-Chaleurs.

The Cyr House is one of the oldest residences in the municipality of Maria. It tells the stories of the house's various owners, including Jean-Baptiste, known as John Cyr, and his genealogical lineage. Testimonials, objects, period photographs, and antique tools will be presented in the exhibition to highlight the expertise and importance of shipbuilding for the Gaspé community.  

"The Maisons Mémoire series takes a close look at the past of a house and those who lived there. For La maison Cyr, we highlighted its transgenerational aspect by including oral testimonials." – Laurie Beaudoin, curator at the MAQ.

The exhibition opening will take place on Sunday, February 4, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the MAQ.

ABOUT MAISONS MÉMOIRE

The Musée acadien du Québec launched the Maisons Mémoire exhibition series in January 2021. Through these exhibitions, it aims to convey the idea that built heritage is central to the development of a community's sense of belonging and Acadian identity. An Acadian house is a house inhabited or built by Acadians. We want to convey their stories and memories through objects and souvenirs connected to the house. The first production in the series won a 2021 Award of Excellence from the Société des Musées du Québec and was nominated for the Governor General's History Awards.