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.

Creative People Who Pursued Careers in Westmount

WINTER/SPRING 2026

The three talks in the WHA’s 2026 Winter/Spring Lecture Series focus on the artistic contributions of four individuals who shared their creative passion with the Westmount and Montreal communities over the years.

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Montreal as Muse: Photographs by Clara Gutsche and David Miller

Speakers: Clara Gutsche, artist and David Miller, photographer

Montreal’s urban architecture and vibrant neighborhoods have inspired many photographic projects by Clara Gutsche and David Miller. From 1970 to 1973 they took photographs to save their neighborhood from destruction by private developers. From 1973 to 2022 they photographed in many other areas of the city, including Westmount and downtown, and Old Montreal.

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Ruth Abramovitsch Sorel: The diaspora of German Modern Dance and its impact on dance in Canada

Speaker: Jens Richard Giersdorf, Ph.D., Professor & Chair Dept. of Contemporary Dance, Faculty of Fine Arts, Concordia University

This lecture examines the diaspora and influence of Ausdruckstanz (German Modern Dance) on Canadian dance through the career of Ruth Sorel. Born in Germany, Sorel was a Jewish choreographer and teacher who worked from 1944 to 1955 in Quebec. She established studios in Westmount and Trois-Rivières and founded companies that shaped the region’s dance landscape.

Thursday, April 23, 2026

The Life and Times of My Mother, Eva Prager O.C.

Speaker: Vincent Prager, maritime lawyer and only son of Eva and Richard Prager.

Vincent Prager explores the remarkable life of artist Eva Prager O.C., from her European roots and family connection to Albert Einstein to her distinguished artistic and humanitarian career in Canada.

Westmount Room at the Westmount Public Library, 4574 Sherbrooke St. W.

from 7 to 9 pm

Admission free for members. $5 for others at the door

For more information contact www.WHA.quebec

Series prepared by Louise Carpentier & Irina Nazarova

Living Together: History of Apartment Buildings in Westmount

FALL 2025

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.