WHA Events

THE WESTMOUNT HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION HOSTS A NUMBER OF EVENTS EACH YEAR. THESE INCLUDE TWO LECTURE SERIES, SEVERAL WALKING TOURS, AND EXHIBITIONS OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND OTHER MATERIAL FROM OUR ARCHIVES.

PLEASE CONSULT OUR WEBSITE REGULARLY FOR UPCOMING ACTIVITIES OFFERED BY THE WHA.

Living Together: History of Apartment Buildings in Westmount

Fall 2025

At a time when urban planning and density are subjects of intense public discussion, the WHA’s fall lecture series examines historical precedents for residential density in Westmount from an architectural and social perspectives and highlights the recent adaptation of an historic building to multi-unit residential use.

September 25, Thursday Westmount Room
How Architects Redefined Apartment Living in Westmount (1913–1960): From Servants to Elevators
Speaker: Laurent Généreux, architect, DFS
The construction of apartment buildings in Westmount mirrored the city’s evolution. Innovations such as elevators, central heating or curtain walls, enabled new architectural forms, while changing social dynamics and the decline of domestic service transformed apartment design. This lecture will explore how architects, developers, and builders played a central role in shaping Westmount’s architectural and urban identity.

October 16, Thursday Westmount Room
Park Manor Apartments, 46-44 Academy Road One Hundred Years: An Historical Interpretation
Speaker: Pierre Anctil
Canadian historian, professor emeritus, University of Ottawa The apartment buildings in Westmount and vicinity have a very interesting history, both in terms of architectural features and because of what they tell us about the development of the city. Park Manor is a hundred years old this year and as such is a prime example of the trends which appeared in this type of building that contributed much to the urban landscape of Westmount. This presentation will focus on Park Manor, while covering a wider range of subjects and issues.

November 20, Thursday Westmount Room
LABO Apartments: The Third Life of the Charles E. Frosst Pharmaceutical Laboratory
Speaker: Samuel Pouliot, architect, NEUF architect(e)s Discover the story of a structure that has spanned three eras, each marked by profound transformations leading to its new residential purpose. From its reconfigurations emerge unexpected uses and distinctive architectural expressions, where memory meets the future. A rare witness to Westmount’s industrial past, this landmark embodies both heritage and renewal.

Westmount Public Library, 4574 Sherbrooke St. W. from 7 to 9 pm Admission for events free for members; $5 for others at the door. Series prepared by Irina Nazarova and Louise Carpentier

COLLABORATIONS ACROSS GENERATIONS

WINTER/SPRING 2025

Documenting the History of Westmount on the 150th anniversary of the City

FALL 2024

CHAPELS TO LIBRARIES: TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGES

WINTER/SPRING 2024

THE WESTMOUNT PUBLIC LIBRARY SINCE 1899

FALL 2023

DOCUMENTING LOCAL HERITAGE

WINTER/SPRING 2020 Due to the pandemic, the April lecture was given remotely in 2021 and co-sponsored by the Westmount Public Library. David Lanken exhibited his work at the Gallery in Victoria Hall in the spring of 2022.