Mariners House - Pointe-à-Callière

8A NEW WINGWork on the MarinersHouse in full swingObjects foundin the timecapsule© Alain VandalWork on converting the Mariners House, in Placed'Youville, is going very well. The façade of the buildinghas been opened up, the insides stripped almost bare,and the basement spaces emptied. The contractors beganpouring cement in the basement and reinforcing theinterior in January.The contractors also made an exciting discovery: atime capsule with items dating from 1953, the year theMariners House was built. The capsule includes a planof the Mariners House, Canadian and British coins from1953, and a newspaper, all of which have been added toour collections. A similar time capsule will be buried inthe building this year.We are also hard at work on new educational workshopsand the Archaeo-Youthspace. Containers for simulatedarchaeological digs will be set up so that young visitorscan enjoy an unforgettable experience as buddingarchaeologists.The Mariners House will also be home to the Foundation’soffices, on the 4th floor, as well as a roomy Friends’Lounge. Then there will be the Museum's gift shop,to move this fall, multipurpose rooms and anauditorium, not to mention an underground passageto the archaeological crypt.There will be some exceptional rental spaces, too: amagnificent panoramic conference room on the 3rd floor,the lobby and the rooftop terrace are all sure to impress.In keeping with the Quebec government policy onintegrating art into architecture and the environment, acompetition was held to select a work of art. The piecechosen, a photographic mural by Montréal artist NicholasBaier entitled Vanités 3, Les miroirs du temps, is a nodto the Museum’s collections and to the past and memory.It will be integrated into the building, and visitorswill be able to admire it as they relax in the lobby.The official opening ceremonies for the new buildingare scheduled for this fall. Watch for more news!Chantale LavoieFoundation Co-ordinatorNew March Break activitiesPointe-à-Callière is preparing some exciting challengesfor children and families this year, with two quests basedon Montréal history during March Break, from March 6to 11. The first one, The Explorers, will take them throughthe remains as they follow the clues in a printed guideand hunt for hidden treasure. Romeo the rat, astoryteller and professional snoop, has chosen someof the Museum’s finest pieces for them!The Discovers program will introduce them to thelifestyles of the St. Lawrence Iroquoians in about 1500,and transform them into both New French habitants fromthe 17th century and Montrealers watching as their cityexpands and develops from the early 19th century to thepresent day. These quests are included with admission tothe Museum and are offered in English and French.March BreakMarch 3 to 11, 201226th edition of MontréalMuseums DayFor the 2012 edition of Montréal Museums Day,Pointe-à-Callière will be opening its doors wide toeveryone on Sunday, May 27. In addition to thepermanent exhibitions Where Montréal Was Bornand Montréal Love Stories and the multimedia showYours Truly, Montréal, visitors will be able to see theall-new temporary exhibition, Samurai – the PrestigiousCollection of Richard Béliveau, presented to mark theMuseum’s 20th anniversary. You can admire some275 remarkable pieces, including full suits of armourand objects from these celebrated warriors’ daily lives.A 50% discount will be offered on admission tothis superb exhibition.Martine PoirierVisitor Services Co-ordinatorMuseums DayMay 27, 2012