A Model Farm
The numerous buildings onsite in 1952 underline its scale: a convent for the Nuns, two stone houses, eight dwellings for employees and their families, a cattle stall, three grain silos, a pigsty, a slaughterhouse, a chicken coop, an apiary, a horse-stable, a granary, sheds, a greenhouse, a soap factory, a cannery, barns, a warehouse and a laundry room.
Stable, 1945. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-F
Cattle shed, 1947. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-F
Cattle shed. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-F
Interior of the implements’ shed, 1944. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-F
Farm outbuildings, undated. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-Y3-A
Henhouse (to the left); barns (to the right), circa 1950. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-Y7A
Stable and dairy house, circa 1950. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-Y7B
Barn, circa 1950. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-Y8A
Soap factory (to the left); cannery (to the right), circa 1950. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-Y9A
Soap made with animal fat on Saint-Charles Farm, [19-]. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Collections, 1996.040
Carpentry, blacksmithing and other workshops, 1950. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-Y10-A
Small henhouses, circa 1950. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-Y10B
The Saint-Charles Farm is organized according to the best agricultural methods of the time under the direction of Sister Rose-Aimée Gamache, s.g.m., who does not hesitate to consult leading agronomists, combines scientific agricultural knowledge with her practical sense of management. Efficient drainage techniques, a five-year crop rotation and periodic fertilization contribute to the quality and high productivity of the farm.
Sister Rose-Aimée Gamache, s.g.m., discussing with J. A. Lafortune and Mister Boucher, agronomists, 1945. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-10
Sister Rose-Aimée Gamache, s.g.m., and Mister Boucher, agronomist, 1947. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-F
Chronicles/Sister Rose-Aimée Gamache, s.g.m., 1948. Manuscript. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-H-4
“The Saint-Charles Farm serving the largest nursery in the world”, appeared in La Patrie, 10 June 1945. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-E-4
Medal of Agricultural Merit of the Province of Québec awarded to the Grey Nuns for their work at the Saint-Charles Farm, 1940. Grey Nuns of Montréal’ Collections, 1993.G.366