For immediate release

Montréal, February 23, 2017 – Families looking for fun, interactive and educational outings over March Break will find just what they’re seeking at Pointe-à-Callière between March 4 and 12. Grandparents, parents and children are invited to tour the all-new Hello, Montréal! Bell's Historical Collections exhibition, to step back into New France with our new interactive light installations, and to test their knowledge and skills with our new video games. In addition, the Museum will be open on Monday, March 6, to meet the demand during this period.

NEW
Hello, Montréal! Bell's Historical Collections
Our new exhibition is an entertaining look at the evolution of communications through advances in telephony and the role of telephones in our lives. It follows the development of this amazing device from its invention by Alexander Graham Bell in 1874 right up to the digital revolution still ongoing in the 21^st century.

Pointe-à-Callière drew on Bell’s rich private collections in producing this exhibition, to offer a fun-filled historical, technological and sociological portrait of telephony and its influence on how people – including Montrealers – talk with each other and the whole world. Over 250 items, photos, documents, musical excerpts and archival films tell the fascinating story of this invention. It includes six interactive stations, including one where visitors can see whether they have what it takes to be an early telephone operator.

Get carried away by history
Pointe-à-Callière is offering a number of new experiences to make for an even better visitor experience, including an impressive light installation in The Marketplace, a true trip back in time to long-ago Montréal. Colourful hanging indicators and a unique visual signature bring the archaeological remains to life before your eyes. Don’t miss it!

1701, The Great Peace of Montréal
In the 1701, The Great Peace of Montréal exhibition, a new multimedia animation describes the events leading to a unique and decisive event in Montréal’s history and international diplomacy: the signing of the Great Peace of Montréal treaty.

Historical video games!
How would you fare as a 17^th-century fur trader or an 18^th-century firefighter? What sort of jobs do you think Montrealers did in the 19^th century? Test your skills and knowledge with our three new interactive games, downstairs in the remains. Fascinating challenges for all ages!

Children’s films at Pointe-à-Callière
The Museum will be hosting two screenings as part of Montréal’s FIFEM international children’s film festival. Come enjoy Le garçon et la bête on Sunday, March 5, at 10 a.m. and Grabouillon et le trésor du Capitaine Nem’Os, on Sunday, March 12, at 10 a.m. The movies are free with admission to the Museum.

Archaeo-Adventure workshop: for the whole family!
Who has never dreamed of stepping into an archaeologist’s shoes and setting off to explore the past? The Archaeo-Adventure workshop is like nothing else in Montréal. Led by an interpreter-guide, children learn first-hand what archaeologists really do. They’ll find out about field work and laboratory research in a special area designed just for them. Can they make the artifacts they unearth “talk”? Lots of fun guaranteed!

Playing Pirates or Privateers?
In Pirates or Privateers?, children ages 4 to 12 can compare themselves with the buccaneers who once roamed the St. Lawrence River in the days of New France. The immersive, interactive setting evokes a real privateer ship – Le d’Iberville – where young swashbucklers can learn about demanding shipboard conditions and see whether they have what it takes for the sailor’s life. The challenges include testing their sea legs, hauling up the anchor, properly arming the cannon, and even dreaming about defending their homeland by attacking enemy ships! Families visiting Pirates or Privateers? can take a self-guided exploration tour specially designed for March Break. Pointe-à-Callière also invites kids to come dressed up as pirates and privateers. Hours of pleasure in store!

Take a break in the Saputo Lunch Room
When they visit the Museum, families can take advantage of a space just for them, the Saputo Lunch Room, decorated like an 18^th-century inn, in the Old Custom House – Fondation J. Armand Bombardier Pavilion. Children and their parents will appreciate this specially designed spot, ideal for taking a lunch break and relaxing for a moment.

Pointe-à-Callière's Port Symphonies
On Sunday, March 12, the Museum will be presenting the second Port Symphonies performance. Young Quebec-European composer Sonia Paço-Rocchia will be at the “helm” of this intriguing concert featuring ships' horns and other urban instruments that can be enjoyed from Place Royale, in Old Montréal. Entitled Nouvelle vie, nouvelle ville, the 2017 edition of Pointe-à-Callière’s Port Symphonies will salute the arrival of Jeanne Mance and Paul de Chomedey Sieur de Maisonneuve. An original tribute for Montréal's 375^th anniversary!

All these activities are included with Museum admission.
Pointe-à-Callière is subsidized by the City of Montréal.

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Source: Pointe-à-Callière, the Montréal Archaeology and History Complex

Information: Marilyne Levesque
Director, Communications and Marketing
Pointe-à-Callière
[email protected]
514 872-9124