Come aboard! Pirates or Privateers?
Setting sail from Montréal as crew members on Pierre Lemoyne d’Iberville’s ship, young participants will learn the nuts and bolts of navigation and prove they have what it takes to become privateers!
Often confused for one another, pirates and privateers faced very similar challenges, but one group operated lawfully while the other did not. Learn which of them were the true heroes of the St. Lawrence... Young people are sure to have a great time with this interactive and immersive activity! They’ll explore the world of the privateers who shaped the Montréal and Québec of the 17th century. They’ll need both brains and brawn, not to mention imagination and team spirit, to make the cut.
What will your students do in this interactive exhibition?
- They’ll learn about life in New France, by enlisting as crew members with Captain Pierre Lemoyne d’Iberville, a 17th-century privateer from Montréal who went down in history.
- They’ll board a ship and learn about the hard life of a privateer.
- They’ll learn the ins and outs of navigation, use their brains and brawn, respect on-board discipline (to avoid punishment!), and prepare to chase the English out of the waters around Newfoundland.
- They’ll see some actual archaeological artifacts from the world of 17th- and 18th-century privateers.
- They’ll have a blast as they embark on an amazing adventure!
Concepts covered in the interactive exhibition
- Enlisting, privateers’ shipboard lives, navigation on the St. Lawrence, privateering, booty.
- Historical figures: King Louis XIV, Governor Frontenac, the privateer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville.
- Assets and limitations of the territory: patrolling the Saint Lawrence and defending the country.
- Economic phenomena: trade, means of transportation.
- Significant events: Franco-British wars.
Competencies developed
The activities included in the interactive exhibition are in line with the Quebec Education Program and help develop the following subject-specific competencies at the elementary school level:
In Quebec
Geography, History, and Citizenship Education
- To construct their representation of space, time and society:
- Refer to aspects of everyday life here and elsewhere, from the past and the present (identify changes and differences in everyday objects, means of transportation, economic activities).
Society studied: French and Canadian society in New France between 1680 and 1760
- Understand the organization of a society on its territory.
- Interpret change in a society and on its territory:
- Determine the influence of public figures or the impact of events on these changes.
For Cycle 1, this is a guided activity, led by an experienced interpreter-guide. For Cycles 2 and 3, it is a self-guided activity allowing students to learn at their own pace, but an interpreter-guide will be on hand to supervise and make sure they get the most out of the experience.
Information and reservations
Hours and rates of visits and group activities 2019-2020
September 2020 to April 2021
Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm
+ Mondays October 26 and December 14, 2020
May-June 2021
Tuesday to Friday, 9:30 am to 5 pm
+ Mondays June 7, 14 and 21, 2021
Rates in effect as of September 1, 2020
Role of accompanying adults
Divide the group into smaller sub-groups according to the number of groups specified on your reservation. The number of groups required corresponds to the number of accompanying adults required during the visit.
Follow the group at all times to maintain discipline and manage particular cases. The mediator or guide will lead the visit. Accompanying adults must stay with and supervise the group during lunch time.
One-day package
Add an interpreted tour or a workshop and enjoy a full day at Pointe-à-Callière:
- First Peoples on the Point workshop or
- Growing Up in Ville-Marie in New France workshop or
- The St. Lawrence Iroquoians worshop or
- Water Ways! workshop or
- Building Montréal interpreted tour.
Lunch room
A lunch room is available for groups.
Reservations required.
Access to the Museum
Consult instructions.
There is free bus parking on de la Commune Street, at the corner of Place Royale.
Other activities
Building Montréal
Elementary
Secondary
College
Educational booklet
Renewed
