Monument-Lefebvre National Historic Site of Canada
Memramcook, New Brunswick
Corner view
© Parks Canada Agency / Agence Parcs Canada.
Address :
Centrale Street, Memramcook, New Brunswick
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1994-06-05
Dates:
-
1896 to 1897
(Construction)
Event, Person, Organization:
-
Father Camille Lefebvre
(Person)
-
James C. Dumaresq
(Architect)
Other Name(s):
-
Monument-Lefebvre
(Designation Name)
-
College Saint-Joseph
(Other Name)
Research Report Number:
1994-014, 1975-056
DFRP Number:
42097 00
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: Mounted on lectern style mount along with the Acadian Odyssey plaque, north east side of building. Centrale Street, Memramcook, New Brunswick
Throughout its history, this building has occupied a special place in the hearts and minds of the Acadian people, as a memorial, as an educational centre, and as a focal point for cultural events. The second-floor theatre continues to play an important role in the cultural life of the Acadian community. The building was constructed in 1896-1897 to honour the memory of Father Camille Lefebvre, CSC (1831-1895), the founder of Saint Joseph's College. Commissioned by the school's alumni, the Monument-Lefebvre celebrates his remarkable contributions to the rebirth of Acadian culture.
Description of Historic Place
Monument-Lefebvre National Historic Site of Canada is an imposing stone structure situated on an elevated site on the campus of Saint-Joseph’s College in Memramcook, New Brunswick. The building is constructed of rusticated New Brunswick olive sandstone and its symmetrical, classically designed façade features Romanesque Revival details. The structure houses a theatre and classrooms, facilities that contributed to the goal of sustaining and nourishing Acadian culture and education. Official recognition refers to the building on its footprint.
Heritage Value
The Monument-Lefebvre was designated a national historic site of Canada because: the memorial to Father Camille Lefebvre occupies a special place in the hearts and minds of the Acadian people.
The Monument-Lefebvre was built in memory of Father Camille Lefebvre, who died in 1895. Work commenced in 1896, and the building was officially opened in 1897. Father Lefebvre founded the College Saint-Joseph at Memramcook as the first French language institution to confer university degrees in the Atlantic region, and played a prominent role in the rebirth of Acadian culture in Canada in the late 19th century. Closed in the 1970s, the building was preserved as a memorial to Acadian culture and Father Lefebvre’s work. Its heritage value lies in its association with Father Lefebvre as illustrated by its use and physical characteristics.
Source: Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, Minute, June 1994.
Character-Defining Elements
The key elements that contribute to the heritage character of this site include: those elements which speak to Father Lefebvre’s role in the rebirth of Acadian culture and learning, specifically the function of the building as a multifunctional theatre and learning institution; the theatre in its original volume and with its historic fittings, including the iron railing, original seating, wooden ceiling, and the historic floor plan and interior finishes; those elements of the building which speak to its role as a monument to Father Lefebvre, specifically its monumental design, articulated in its symmetrical elevation, hipped roof with conical pavilion roofs, imposing rusticated olive sandstone, carved commemorative tablet, date stone, commemorative stained glass windows, and Romanesque Revival decorative features; its dramatic setting atop a hill overlooking the neighbouring landscape.