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Published: June 11th 2016
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In the early days of New France in the 1600s, most traveling was done by canoe, but as more settlers arrived and opened up the wilderness, and especially after New France became British North America, they needed better ways to travel on ever-present snow during the long winters, and on elementary roadways the rest of the year. In other words, conveyances both elementary and advanced, large and small, pulled by horses, became the standard means of travel. As cities emerged and commerce grew, people needed to travel in all kinds of weather, and in groups large and small. Quebec thus developed a flourishing industry with over 30 major companies engaged in sleigh- and carriage-making.
Mr. Paul Bienvenu, a well-known horse breeder in Bromont, Quebec, began some 50 years ago to collect, document and restore as needed every type of horse-drawn conveyance used in Quebec from the 17th to the 20th centuries, including sleighs, carts, carriages, cabs, calèches, and more, used by ordinary folk all the way up to the wealthy and high-ranking. Today there are over 200 in his priceless collection, which he has generously donated to Quebec's Museum of Civilization.
Recently I had the pleasure to view 18
of them handcrafted from 1770 to 1940, lent to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, within Canada's National Capital Region. Here are photos of some of them, and I've tried to present the most important information about each one right after it; but to savour the entire experience and ambiance, you should visit the museum before 17 April 2017. For more info go to
http://www.historymuseum.ca/horsepower/ . As usual, to see any photo full size, click on its thumbnail.
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Judy Smith
non-member comment
Canadian Museum History
Good morning Fred - This article certainly enlightens us to the form of travel and its beauty that was used back then. The talent these gentlemen possessed is remarkable. Very, very interesting, as both Fern & I were there last Thurs. evening as our twin granddaughters had their graduation ceremony there & of course pictures were taken outside. To be able to visit such beauty in these times is very heartwarming.......and to be able to sit in one of the carriages would be a dream come true. Very well written Fred.....keep up the wonderful, informative pieces.