The building, its furnishings, and its décor immerse visitors in the authentic atmosphere of a 19th-century boarding school. Every space reflects the memory of the site: objects, archives, and portraits eloquently testify to the monumental contribution of visionary religious women—true pioneers of education—who shaped generations of young students.
The permanent collection brings together a remarkable array of antique objects, often rare and unusual, sparking genuine curiosity among visitors of all ages. Among them, the mud digger, an imposing machine from another era, amazes and fascinates with its size and ingenuity.
The museum also highlights a rich regional artistic heritage. Visitors can admire paintings by Agnès Berchmans, née Landry of Sainte-Marie, a student of Italian artist Alphonso Simi in the early 20th century, as well as works by Jeanne Léger and Édouard Gautreau, artists from the region.
The Claudette and Maurice Cormier Collection, comprising more than one thousand works by Acadian artists—both professional and amateur—supports the presentation of varied and continually renewed thematic exhibitions.
Recent oil paintings by André LeBlanc, an Acadian artist from Longueuil, offer a compelling visual narrative of Acadian history, rendered with striking imagery and remarkable historical accuracy. Also a sculptor, LeBlanc pays tribute through his works to the essential assistance provided by the Mi’kmaq to Acadian deportees.
Among the major exhibitions is one dedicated to the great educator Marguerite Maillet, a former student of the convent, whose legacy continues to inspire.
Une maquette du Pays de la Sagouine, réalisée en France, suscite l’admiration des visiteurs de tous âges.
And this is only a glimpse. The museum invites you to an engaging immersion into history, art, and collective memory—an essential visit that is sure to both inform and move you.
