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Gatineau Valley Historical Society

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Date Founded: 
1962
Mission: 

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The mission of the Gatineau Valley Historical Society (founded in 1962 as the Historical Society of the Gatineau) is to “promote matters of historical or heritage significance in the general area of the Gatineau Valley.”

Physical Description: 

Archives (located in the basement of the Chelsea Town Hall, Chelsea).

Collections: 

A demonstration of the Image Bank by Adrienne Herron. (Photo - Matthew Farfan)Books and other publications.

Photography (including an extensive photography image bank).

Maps.

Cemetery records.

Census returns and church records of births, marriages, and deaths (on microfilm).

Miscellaneous manuscript and printed documents pertaining to local and regional history.

Genealogies.

Newspaper clippings.

The GVHS has created a finding aid to help researchers locate material in its collections.

Special Activities: 

Charity auction. (Photo - Ernie Mahoney)Research assistance at the Archives.

Reference and genealogy services.

Monthly meetings featuring guest speakers.

Annual fundraiser auction and flea market of donated antiques and collectibles (usually held on the third Saturday in August).

Tax receipts issued for the amounts realized at auctions for donated articles, or for cash donations.

Relocating the Fairbairn House. (Photo - Ernie Mahoney)The GVHS owns and maintains the Chelsea Pioneer Cemetery and conducts work on the Chelsea Protestant Burial Ground.

GVHS outreach activities include participating and advising community groups and municipalities, providing resources for schools, and cooperating with other historical and heritage groups.

Interpretive plaque overlooking the Gatineau River. (Photo - Matthew Farfan)In recent years, the Society has been involved in a number of important community activities, including sponsoring a series of interpretive plaques at historic sites in Wakefield, and active participation in the reconstruction of the Gendron covered bridge in Wakefield.

Currently, the GVHS is working with the municipality of La Pêche to restore the William Fairbairn House in Wakefield, and convert it to a regional museum. The house (c.1860s) has recently been moved from its previous location and is awaiting restoration work.

Publications: 

Up the Gatineau (annual journal). Gatineau Valley Historical Society Newsletter (bi-monthly).Editor Carol Martin shows off the latest issue of Up the Gatineau! (Photo - Matthew Farfan)

Business Hours: 

Archives hours: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 6:00-8:00 p.m. Fridays.

Appointments can be made to visit the Archives at other times by contacting the Society Archivist using the following contact information: (819) 827-6224; info@gvhs.ca.

Fees: 

Family membership in Canada: $15.00 for 1 year / $25.00 for 2 years.
Family membership in the U.S.: $20.00 for 1 year / $35.00 for 2 years.
Membership includes a free subscription to the Newsletter and the annual journal, Up the Gatineau.

Languages:

English
French
Address: 

Mailing address:
Gatineau Valley Historical Society, Box 1803, Chelsea, QC J9B 1A1.
Archives address:
GVHS Archives, Chelsea Town Hall, 100 Old Chelsea Rd, Chelsea, QC.

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Telephone: 
(819) 827-6224
Email: 
info@gvhs.ca
Website: 
http://www.gvhs.ca/