All-Points Bulletin! - The Old Port of Montréal Corporation wants to
perpetuate your memories!

MONTREAL, March 10 /CNW Telbec/ - The Old Port of Montréal Corporation (OPMC) needs you! In an effort to enhance its historical knowledge and further protect its heritage, the Corporation would like to secure any visual, written, or verbal testimony that could in some way illustrate the daily life that took place in the veritable beehive that was the Port of Montréal between 1930 and 1967.

If you remember the effervescent atmosphere that prevailed on the quays, if you, a family member, or a friend worked, ran a restaurant, were a longshoreman, a railway worker, a salesperson, a stroller, a police officer, a Sunday photographer, a business person, or just using the Port for a secret rendezvous with a paramour, we would like to hear from you and include your memories to our heritage. You could well be among those who will help document the Old Port archives and, thus, become a major player in the perpetuation of one of Montréal's main historical attractions. Submit your material no later than July 1st, 2010 and run the chance of winning a dinner cruise for two on the majestic St. Lawrence aboard the Bateau-Mouche.

Giving history a human face

Through this All-Points Bulletin, the Old Port of Montréal Corporation (OPMC) wishes to develop its archives and reach beyond the interpretation of the archaeological remains of the Old Port and of the site's architectural legacy to reconstruct daily life on the Port of Montréal between 1930 and 1967, from Berri Street to Prince Street, through the individuals that lived or worked in the area, or visited it.

Hélène-andrée bizier: All-Points Bulletin Spokesperson

In selecting Hélène-Andrée Bizier as spokesperson for this attractive venture, the OPMC chose to partner with a journalist, author, television columnist, museum consultant, and a passionate devotee of history, great or ordinary. One needs only listen to her description of the various eras that defined the quays' history to become enthralled with her ability to translate images and smells into tangible chapters of the Old Port's history. As the untiring author of such books as La petite histoire du crime au Québec (2 tomes, Libre Expression), Le menu quotidien en Nouvelle-France (Art Global), as well as the successful trilogy that includes Une histoire du Québec en photos, Une histoire des Québécoises en photos et Une histoire des hommes québécois en photo (Fides), Bizier proves to be a captivating guide though the meandering past of daily life around the oldest quays of the Port of Montréal.

Playing a historical role and sailing on the St. Lawrence

It's the public's turn to make history! By submitting personal, family, or commercial archives, collections or testimonies, members of the general public can contribute to the writing of yet another chapter of Québec's history. The memories and souvenirs collected as part of the All-Points Bulletin project could indeed be featured in exhibitions, be published or become valuable witnesses to history.

In addition to playing an important role in a project that aims to produce a human portrait of the history on the Old Port of Montréal between 1930 and 1967, participants run the chance of winning one of five dinner cruises for two on the St. Lawrence aboard the Bateau-Mouche. The dinner, served in the VIP Salon of the ship, features seven-course Prestige menu designed by Chef Alain Pignard of the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel of Montréal.

Sharing one's memories and souvenirs

By phone at 514 496-8126 or in writing at [email protected] no later than July 1s, 2010. Or through the www.quaysoftheoldport.com Internet site.

The first 100 persons to contact the Old Port of Montréal Corporation will receive a copy of the book titled Le Vieux-Port de Montréal (Éditions de l'Homme) published in 2007.

The Old Port of Montréal Corporation

The Old Port of Montréal Corporation is a business corporation created by the Government of Canada in November 1981. As the manager of the Quays of the Old Port of Montréal and the Montréal Science Centre, it is an active participant in the economic development of Montréal and an essential player in the revitalisation of the historic district and of the Montréal water-front.

Requested documentation

In order to actively participate in this collective memories effort to develop our popular history, the OPMC invites you to submit any of the following documentation:

    
    - Photographs taken at the Port of Montréal: family photos; photos of new
      entrants, of unusual events, of the arrival of the first ship of the
      season, of a cruise departing, of workers, of merchants, etc. Note that
      the OPMC is looking primarily for scenes that include people rather
      than general and scenery shots.
    - Family, corporate, trip and other videos recorded at the port.
    - Printed materials of different types such as: employee ID cards,
      letters, contracts, cruise or event tickets, advertising posters,
      restaurant menus, etc.
    - Testimonials and anecdotes from former port workers or neighbouring
      merchants.
    

All documents submitted will be digitized and returned to their owners who will be asked to meet with OPMC staff in order to provide context for photos and other documents they submitted.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Press relations: Communications Papineau-Couture, [phone], [email protected]; Account manager: Natalie Dion, [phone]; Source: Old Port of Montréal Corporation, www.quaysoftheoldport.com