Métairie Saint-Joseph, A Prosperous and Model Farm
A Prosperous and Model Farm From its beginning, the farm provides food and milk to the Hôtel-Dieu of Nicolet and the Christ-Roi Orphanage. In 1918 there are 318 residents including Nuns, orphans, children, elderly, and lay employees at the Hôtel-Dieu itself; this increases rapidly to nearly 373 residents at the Hôtel-Dieu in 1940 and nearly […]
Saint-Charles Farm, A Prosperous Farm for Almost 50 Years
Saint-Charles Farm, Montréal (Côte-de-Liesse) A Prosperous Farm for Almost 50 Years With part of the proceeds from the sale of land at Pointe Saint-Charles, in 1907 the Grey Nuns acquire a parcel of agricultural land in the Côte-de-Liesse municipality. Subsequent acquisitions increase the property to a total of 575 acres, aptly named the Saint-Charles Farm […]
Saint-Bruno Farm
Saint-Bruno Farm Located in what is today downtown Montréal, the Saint-Joseph Hospice was on the verge of expropriation for a new Grand Trunk Railway station when the start of the Great War put the project on hold. That same year, 1914, the Hospice is gifted a 135 acre farm in the village of Saint-Bruno, county […]
Farm and Garden of the Saint-Joseph Hospital
Farm and Garden of the Saint-Joseph Hospital, La Tuque In 1912, the Sisters of Charity of the Hôtel-Dieu of Nicolet assume responsibility for the Saint-Joseph Hospital in the village of La Tuque, with an orphanage to accommodate around 50 children added in 1918. Saint-Joseph Hospital and Sacred Heart Orphanage, undated. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns […]
Châteauguay, The Orchard
The Orchard Marguerite d’Youville is said to have planted the first apple tree in the orchard. Many of its branches are grafted onto other trees in order to perpetuate the original fruit. In 1935, there were more than 250 apple trees in the orchard expanding yearly. Today it is a certified organic orchard, with a […]
Châteauguay, In the Fields
In the Fields Part of the tilled land is used for growing cereals such as wheat, oats, and buckwheat while a meadow produces hay for animal fodder. Over time, a vegetable garden is developed and eventually occupies a large space at the rear of the manor where a wide variety of vegetables are grown in […]