The Musée de l’Amérique francophone in Quebec City opened the exhibition, Louis Hébert and Marie Rollet, on Wednesday to mark the 400th anniversary of the Héberts’ arrival in New France. Louis Hébert, his wife Marie Rollet and their three children are considered to be the first European family to permanently settle in Quebec.
Soon after their arrival, the Hébert-Rollet family built a house on what is today the Séminaire de Québec’s inner courtyard, which is next to the Musée de l’Amérique francophone.
This brass ring, found in the remains of the Hébert-Couillard home, is part of the Louis Hébert and Marie Rollet exhibition. Photo: Musée de l’Amérique francophone.
Open until October 30, 2017, the museum’s exhibition retraces the life of the Hébert-Rollet family from Paris to their departure for the New World and their settlement in Quebec City. It highlights Louis Hébert’s work as an apothecary and the family’s relationships with First Nations people.
The museum offers exhibitions on the colonial history of America, the evolution of Francophone culture in North America and abroad, and arts and crafts in Québec.
The Musée de l’Amérique francophone is in the heart of Old Quebec at 2 Côte de la Fabrique, beside the Notre Dame de Québec church — and only a few doors from my favourite department store, Simons, which was founded in 1840 by Peter Simons and it has been located in the same spot since 1870. (Google Maps street view)
Information is available on the museum website.
