1864: Father Camille Lefebvre was a member of the Holy Cross Fathers Congregation. He founded the Collège Saint-Joseph in the building of the former Séminaire (Collège) de Saint-Thomas. (The seminary founded by the abbé François-Xavier Lafrance in 1854 had closed its doors in 1863.)

1881: The first National Acadian Convention was held at the Collège Saint-Joseph in Memramcook.

1895: Death of Father Camille Lefebvre, c.s.c., the Collège Saint-Joseph’s founder

1897: Inauguration of the Monument-Lefebvre, a building built by alumni and friends of the Collège Saint-Joseph, in memory of Father Camille Lefebvre, c.s.c.

1966: Closure of the Collège Saint-Joseph – education is now given through high schools and the Université de Moncton campus. The college reinvents itself as an adult education establishment known as the Memramcook Institute.

1978: Almost completely abandoned since 1966, the Monument-Lefebvre is reborn as a cultural centre celebrating Acadian heritage.  It is recognized by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada as an important national historic site.

1994: During the first World Acadian Congress held in 1994, the Monument- Lefebvre was named a national historic site. Its mission is two-fold:

            1) to commemorate Father Lefebvre c.s.c., founder of the first permanent French-language College in Atlantic Canada in 1864;

            2) to commemorate the Monument Lefebvre as a symbol of the renaissance of Acadian culture by hosting the Acadian Odyssey Exhibit which explores the history of the Acadians and promoting Acadian culture through various activities held in its theatre.

The Société du Monument Lefebvre offers the following services to Parks Canada: guides for the Acadian Odyssey Exhibit, shows in the theatre and management of the boutique.

A little known fact – because of the risks faced by Acadians throughout history, the Monument-Lefebvre is the only national historic site commemorating events that took place after the Deportation. It is also the only site situated in an Acadian community. Acadian Odyssey Exhibit
Monument-Lefebvre National Historic Site of Canada

The sculpture is by Fred Allen

   

Acadian Renaissance: a secret unveiled!
Come and discover how the Acadians transformed the tragedy of the Deportation and their journey to resettle in exile into a renaissance full of hope.

• a one hour visit of the historical exhibit and theatre,
• a video on the Deportation (45 minutes), and
• a guided visit in either French or English.

Come discover this XIXth century style auditorium. With its 360 seats, this is the venue where the Société du Monument Lefebvre and the Société culturelle de la Vallée de Memramcook present their cultural programming (shows like the Festival de chant Anna Malenfant and community theatre). Artists and groups also use the location to showcase their talent.

Causeries du mardi
Every Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. from the end of June to the beginning of August, the Société du Monument Lefebvre and the Société culturelle de la Vallée de Memramcook present a series of conferences on a wide-ranging variety of Acadian heritage topics. A small snack is served. While the entry is free, a donation would be greatly appreciated.

During the first three Thursdays in July, these two societies hold outdoor shows that begin in early evening. Local artists are invited to appear onstage and perform for two hours. Entry is free.

Hours of Operation
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from June 1^st to October 15^th .

Entree fees

Entree fees are set according to Park Canada rates. Canadian National Park passes are accepted.

Contact Information
Route 2, exit 482 towards Route 106
480 Centrale Street
Memramcook, New Brunswick   E4K 3S6
Telephone:  (506) 758-9808  or 758-9783
Fax: (506) 758-9813
Email: monument@nbnet.nb.ca
Website: www.parcscanada.gc.ca