458, Notre-Dame St.
This residence belonged to a man who played a crucial role for the future of Canada, Sir George-Étienne Cartier. It is in fact two semi-detached houses built between 1836 and 1838 for Arthur Ross, lawyer. His mother occupied the section next to Berri Street in 1839.
In 1848, George-Étienne Cartier was the new owner. His family lived at the Berri-Notre-Dame corner until 1855 when they all left the city. A lawyer rented the House but Cartier came back in 1862 and bought the nearby home to occupy it. After the death of Cartier in 1873, the estate retained the two houses until 1951. Another tenant occupied the other part , A.G.A. Ricard who was a doctor and member of the Medical Office of the Notre-Dame Hospital.
After 1871, the house was rented to different people. It was first a particular hotel and then in 1880 a store of the Ministry of the militia followed by a hotel which took the name of Grand Pacific Hotel. It goes without saying that the inside of the building was then transformed. Another major change occurred a few years later when the Berri Street tunnel was open. The section overlooking the Berri Street was truncated more than three meters; the roof became an attic roof and a balcony was built.
Because of the 1901 fire, renovations were again brought and a change of name, the Grand Pacific Hotel became the Dalhousie Hotel and then the Royal Rooms in the 1930s.
The Federal Government finally bought the home in 1973. Other restorations took place and the property became a museum dedicated to G.E. Cartier who played an important role in the history of the country and, since 1985, his career is highlighted in this now Victorian style house.
George-Étienne Cartier is often called “the Father of Confederation”. It is certain that his role in the creation of this system of Government is very important. His political career began in 1835 when he became a lawyer. It is closely linked to the Patriots being a member of the Sons of Liberty and even participating at the Saint-Denis battle. Exiled in the United States, he soon returned to Montreal and practiced law.
He also played a large role in the development of education in the province. As close as 80 % of the country people could neither read nor write, so he put in place a series of reforms including the establishment of a Council of public instruction as well as Normal Schools. The teachers saw their working conditions improved and the first pension system was introduced.
In 1848, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the United-Canada. He soon became the most influential politician of the East part. The idea of a Federation of the provinces was gaining ground and Cartier traveled to London in the company of A.T. Galt and J. Ross to convince the Queen Victoria. In 1864 he went to the Prince Edward Island in the company of other delegates to set the foundations for a Confederation, which became reality in 1867. He then became Minister of Militia and Defense.
Great negotiator, his services were required for the purchase of the Rupert’s Land and the Northwest Territory, the creation of the province of Manitoba and he was very active in the negotiations with British Colombia which led to its entry into Confederation. He is the one who introduced a bill for the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad.
In 1919, a monument has been erected in his honor on the Mountain Park on Park Avenue. It has been recently renovated. Do the “Tam-Tam” enthusiasts gathering there every Sunday of the summer have a thought for this great man?
