Learn about the Museum

 

The establishment of the Naval Museum of Quebec is closely linked to that of the Naval Complex at Pointe-à-Carcy, which houses the buildings of the Naval Reserve in the Old Port of Quebec.

At the time of construction of the Canadian Forces Fleet School Quebec (CFFS Quebec), in the heart of the naval complex, officials of the Department of National Defence decided to take advantage of this opportunity to include space inside the premises for the first naval museum in Quebec. Thus were fulfilled the wishes of many veterans, who had long dreamt of a museum dedicated to naval heritage.

In the spring of 1995 the museum opened its doors and was inaugurated in the presence of the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada. Mr. Chrétien unveiled an official plaque dedicating the museum to Lieutenant-Commander Joseph Alexis Stanislas Déry, a veteran of the Second World War and the main contributor to the museum's initial collection.

Since that time, the continued enhancement and diversification of the museum's collection has enabled the further definition of its mission.

During the first years of the museum's existence it became apparent that great sections of Canadian naval history were only lightly researched or, if they even were researched, the information was spread throughout many unconnected works.

Thus, the Naval Museum of Quebec chose to concentrate its efforts on this research into naval history without, however, neglecting its duties with respect to its collections, exhibitions and communications.

Through all of its actions, the Naval Museum of Quebec strives to tell the story of naval history by supporting it with tangible evidence or oral testimonials from this period.

At the Naval Museum of Quebec,
history is told through objects.

At the Naval Museum of Quebec the public enters into
history through the object that tells the story.

Exhibitions and other museum events are based on these fundamental principles as, without objects, the museum could not exist.

This new Website disseminates our compilations and research. It is intended to complement the museum's other means of dissemination and, as is the case everywhere, the object is at the heart of the contents. This Website tells naval stories based on the testimony of objects and on the stories of people, as are the exhibitions that you can see at the museum proper.