The Apiary
An apiary is installed near the chapel and though its origins are unknown it appears to be quite old. The bees were used to pollinize the orchard’s trees and to provide honey for the Nuns and the staff of the manor. In 1920, the apiary was still of modest size, consisting of only five hives, but by 1947 there are 50. A laboratory is built next door to process the honey, which is supplied to the congregation’s works in Montréal while another portion is purchased by other religious congregations.
Beekeeper Sister, circa 1949. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Châteauguay Manor’s Fonds, L004-Y17G
Beekeeper Sister, circa 1949. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Châteauguay Manor’s Fonds, L004-Y17H
Apiary, undated. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Châteauguay Manor’s Fonds, L004-Y20L
Apiary, undated. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Châteauguay Manor’s Fonds, L004-Y20L
Beekeeping Sisters, undated. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Châteauguay Manor’s Fonds, L004
Honey extraction by Sister Marguerite Hudon, s.g.m., circa 1960. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Châteauguay Manor’s Fonds, L004-Y27A
Two Sisters producing honey in the laboratory, circa 1960. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Châteauguay Manor’s Fonds, L004
The Châteauguay apiary, in Chez nous (Our Place) (extract)/Sister Flore Barrette, s.g.m., [195-196-]. Film 8 mm. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, F054A