Forillon historical collection
Forillon National Park
Cultural resources are irreplaceable, bringing us closer to the places, people and events that have shaped Canada’s history. Parks Canada plays a privileged role as guardian of these exceptional cultural resources that represent the richness and diversity of Canada.
Parks Canada preserves a collection of historical objects that recount the lifestyles of the former residents of the Forillon Peninsula. This collection was built up gradually, from the creation of the park in 1970—following the expropriation of 225 families—to the 2010s.
Since 2023, Parks Canada has been working closely with the Association of Persons Expropriated from Forillon and their Descendants (Association), as well as with the Musée de la Gaspésie, to better understand and document this collection.
You will find information in the form of questions and answers about the value of this collection, the progress of the project and the collaboration between partners. Click on the drop-down box to read the answer to each question.
Questions and answers
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When and why did Parks Canada establish the Forillon National Park Historical Collection?
Parks Canada began assembling a collection of cultural artifacts linked to the peninsula’s former residents in the early 1970s, at the time of the park’s creation.
The aim is to preserve objects that recount the lifestyles of Forillon’s inhabitants before the creation of the park, so that they can be showcased, particularly in the Grande-Grave area.
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What kinds of objects can be found in Forillon’s historical collection and how many are there?
Forillon’s historical collection features everyday objects, such as tools, furniture, and agricultural and fishing implements, illustrating the lifestyle of local communities. Each object reflects a way of life, deeply rooted in the region’s history, that no longer exists today. The collection was, therefore, not created in an effort to acquire objects of high monetary value, but rather with the intention of preserving and transmitting material witnesses of the memory of the area’s inhabitants.
The collection has around 12,500 objects, divided into three main categories.
1. Around 35% of the collection (some 4,100 objects) are directly “related to expropriation.” Since it is possible to make a connection between expropriated families and their descendants, these would be the most significant objects in the collection.
2. Almost 43% (some 5,000 objects) fall into the “interpretation” category. These historical objects were acquired between 1978 and 1985 with the aim of supporting heritage interpretation in Forillon National Park. They come from a variety of sources (e.g., private individuals, antique dealers, private collectors, etc.).
3. Finally, around 21% of the collection (some 3,400 objects) are “reproductions,” including costumes and tools made for use in the park’s interpretive activities.
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How did Parks Canada obtain these objects?
The objects in the historical collection of Forillon National Park were obtained by various means.
Some were purchased from private individuals, merchants, antique dealers, hardware stores, manufacturers or collectors, for interpretation purposes.
Others were donated to Parks Canada, while many were left on site or sold by the families when they were expropriated.
There are also objects whose origin or method of acquisition is not documented.
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Why is the collection important to the people affected by expropriation?
The objects in Forillon’s historical collection are tangible traces of the past, bearing witness to traditions, know-how and a way of life that no longer exists today.
Parks Canada collaborates with its partners to publicize the collection, and ensuring its visibility and accessibility to everyone involved.
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Were there any recent events or initiatives that have provided a better understanding of this collection?
Efforts to better understand the historical collection of Forillon National Park began some twenty years ago, particularly with the production of a report in 2008 that outlined the condition of the collection, defined its objectives, located the historic objects and drew up a list of expropriated persons linked to the objects.
Since May 2023, a new process has been underway to better understand the nature, composition and heritage value of the collection, by identifying groups of objects that can be considered cultural resources. This work also includes assessing the condition of the objects.
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What motivated the 2023 initiative to better understand the Forillon historical collection, and who are the players involved?
In 2023, the desire to improve the understanding of the Forillon historical collection emerged, driven in particular by the Association of Persons Expropriated from Forillon and their Descendants and by Parks Canada, which was preparing to transfer the objects to a new conservation site in Gatineau.
Parks Canada has suggested establishing criteria for assessing the heritage status and the value of the objects and ensuring their conservation.
A working group made up of the Association, the Musée de la Gaspésie and Parks Canada was formed in 2024. It defined the heritage values of the objects and visited the storage facilities.
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Why is the working group reviewing the Forillon collection?
Reviewing the collection to confirm its relevance is a standard professional practice in museums and archaeology, and constitutes a best practice in collection management.
In accordance with Parks Canada’s Directive on the Acquisition and Disposal of Historical and Archaeological Objects and Reproductions, Parks Canada periodically reviews its collections.
This review makes it possible to focus resources on objects of heritage value and to better share with Canadians the rich and diverse history they represent.
Parks Canada has reviewed and will continue to review the objects in its care in order to maintain good management practices and ensure the responsible use of public funds.
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Can the collection be viewed to see what it includes?
Parks Canada is working with its partners to facilitate access to the collection. In June 2024, members of the Association of Persons Expropriated from Forillon and their Descendants had the opportunity to visit the storage facilities, enabling them to discover and better understand the nature and diversity of this collection.
Documentation efforts are underway to determine the most user-friendly and effective way of sharing this collection with the community.
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How do the objects in the Forillon historical collection enable park visitors to learn more about the history of the communities that inhabited the park before its creation?
Several objects from the Forillon historical collection are already on display at the Grande-Grave Heritage Site, in particular at the Hyman & Sons General Store, the Blanchette House and the Dolbel-Roberts House.
In collaboration with the Association of Persons Expropriated from Forillon and their Descendants and with representatives of the Gavey and Bartlett families, Parks Canada is currently assessing the possibility of including the stories of these families in the Grande-Grave Heritage Accommodation Project.
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Was the Musée de la Gaspésie not involved in the Forillon historical collection before?
In 2018, the Musée de la Gaspésie and Parks Canada reached an agreement to transfer the collection of objects.
Since 2022, Parks Canada and the Musée de la Gaspésie have been working together to explore other avenues for a potential transfer of the artifacts to the Gaspé Peninsula.
Parks Canada’s national collections project
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What does Parks Canada’s collection comprise?
Parks Canada cares for some 31 million historical and archaeological objects representing over 11,000 years of human history.
The historical objects in the collection have been acquired over the years to support interpretation activities, exhibits and the visitor experience at Parks Canada’s national parks and national historic sites. Examples of historical objects include furniture, costumes, fabrics and other everyday objects. These items are a mix of objects directly related to Parks Canada’s historic sites and period antiques purchased to support visitor programs.
The archaeological objects in the collection are the product of archaeological work carried out on Parks Canada sites and range from household items and building materials to hunting tools used by Indigenous people before European contact.
Note that most of the archaeological objects in the collection are fragmentary, consisting of ceramic fragments, shards of window glass, and nails. These types of artifacts are, in most cases, not suitable for display purposes, but are significant historical records of great interest to researchers and archaeologists in their investigation of Canadian history.
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