The 2024 Prix du Mont-Royal awarded to the
Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal
for its exhibition entitled Our Mountain. Memories of Mount Royal
Montréal, November 7, 2024 – For the past 20 years, Les Amis de la montagne has paid an annual tribute to individuals and institutions whose commitment and remarkable actions contribute to the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal. Thus, the prestigious Prix du Mont-Royal 2024 was awarded to the Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal on November 6, 2024, in recognition of the quality of its exhibition titled Our Mountain. Memories of Mount Royal. Highlighting the history, conservation and development of Mount Royal, the exhibition helped raise awareness of the importance of this iconic site in the heart of Montréal among thousands of visitors.
The exhibition, open to the public until January 5, 2025, retraces the ecological and cultural history of Mount Royal, from its beginnings as a sacred site for First Nations to its status as an emblematic urban park. It features artefacts, archives and visual installations illustrating the importance of this “green lung” in the centre of the city, while celebrating the mountain’s rich heritage and biodiversity. Our Mountain. Memories of Mount Royal also invites visitors to reflect upon the current challenges inherent in efforts to conserve this natural urban space.
By awarding the Prix du Mont-Royal to the Musée des Hospitalières, Les Amis de la montagne commends the exhibition’s capacity to heighten public awareness of the ecological and heritage issues specific to the mountain. “The Musée des Hospitalières created an exhibition that is both educational and inspiring, one that strengthens our connection with Mount Royal and encourages us to protect it. This award recognizes their commitment to transmitting the history and spirit of our mountain to current and future generations,” said Julie Laurence, Chair of the Les Amis de la montagne’s board of directors.
“Our Mount Royal is so much more than just a mountain. It is an integral part of Montréal’s identity. I applaud the Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu for its efforts to highlight Mount Royal’s importance to the Montréal community through this exhibition. Our administration is firmly committed to preserving Mount Royal’s natural and built heritage and to taking the necessary steps to preserve it for future generations,” said Alex Norris, associate councillor for large parks and Mount Royal on the Montréal executive committee.
Located in the heart of Montréal, within the Mount Royal protected area, the Musée des Hospitalières offers a window into the history of Hôtel-Dieu, the city’s first hospital, and the contribution to the city made by the community of the Religious Hospitallers of Saint-Joseph. With Our Mountain. Memories of Mount Royal, the museum serves as the guardian of our collective memory, reminding us that Mount Royal is much more than a natural space: It is a shared heritage to preserve and celebrate.
On behalf of TD Bank Financial Group, which supports Les Amis de la montagne’s mobilization, environmental stewardship, and collective initiative recognition programs as a financial partner, Ms. Danielle Quenneville, Regional Director of TD Friends of the Environment, spoke briefly about the ceremony: “TD has supported the Prix du Mont-Royal for more than 15 years, and we’re proud to continue supporting Les Amis de la montagne’s efforts to preserve, enhance and revitalize Mount Royal. This year, we also want to recognize the Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal for its remarkable exhibition, Our Mountain. Memories of Mount Royal, which highlights the history and conservation of our mountain and helps raise awareness of this important landmark in the heart of Montréal among thousands of visitors. Bravo!”
Honorary mention to Éric Richard
Éric Richard will receive an honorary mention in recognition of his fundamental contribution, dating back three decades, to the advancement of environmental education and the enhancement of Mount Royal’s cultural and natural heritage.
The 2024 edition of the Prix du Mont-Royal award ceremony is funded under the Montréal Cultural Development Agreement between the city and the Government of Quebec. It also receives support from TD Bank Financial Group, the principal partner of Les Amis de la montagne through its TD Ready Commitment program.
About Les Amis de la montagne
A non-profit organization founded in 1986, Les Amis de la montagne has a mission to protect and enhance Mount Royal through community engagement, environmental education and the promotion of Mount Royal’s interests with the aim of ensuring that informed decisions are made in support of the site’s sustainability.
About the Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal
The Musée des Hospitalières was founded by the Religious Hospitallers of Saint-Joseph in 1992. It is housed in the former chaplain’s residence at the Hospitallers’ convent complex, located between the chapel and the Hôtel-Dieu buildings. The museum project was conceived and supported by the community, particularly by the institution’s founder, S. Thérèse Payer, to give Montrealers access to the Hospitallers’ impressive collection.
- 30 –
.jpg)
In the photo (from left to right): Hélène Panaïoti, Interim Executive Director, Les Amis de la montagne; Éric Richard, Honorary mention; Paul Labonne, General Director of the Musée des Hospitalières, recipient of the Prix du Mont-Royal - Julie Laurence, Chair of the board of directors of Les Amis de la montagne - Alex Norris, associate councillor for large parks and Mount Royal on the Montréal executive committee.
Photo credit: Les Amis de la montagne
Information: Media contact:
Clara Bich, Director, Communications and Marketing Isabelle Bleau
Les Amis de la montagne Isabelle Bleau Communications
cbich@lemontroyal.qc.ca isabelle.bleau@bellnet.ca
514-843-8240, extension 207 Work: 514-933-2523 Cell: 514-992-8319
