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.
Westmount Public Library opened in 1899. This fall the WHA is offering a 3-part lecture series on the Library as a prelude to WPL’s upcoming 2024 celebrations. The series will begin with the evolution of the building complex, then go inside to learn about the expansion of its collections, programmes and services, and end by delving into the treasures housed in its archives. The talks are open to all – they are free-of-charge and will be in hybrid format, so you may attend in-person or by Zoom. The WHA is grateful to Westmount Public Library for its support and its collaboration in this fall 2023 series.
September 21, Thursday from 7:pm to 9:00 pm in the Westmount Room of the Westmount Public Library
Speakers: Julia Gersovitz & Rosanne Moss, founding partners of EVOQ Architecture, with Peter Trent, former Mayor of Westmount.
Westmount Public Library has undergone many changes since Robert Findlay designed the first building in 1899. This lecture will follow the architectural evolution of the Library over the past 124 years. The three speakers played major roles, as architects and as Mayor of Westmount, in the 1995 addition and restoration when the floor area of the Library was increased by 50%.
October 19, Thursday from 7:pm to 9:00 pm in the Westmount Room of the Westmount Public Library
Speakers: Peter McNally, Professor Emeritus & Director, History of McGill Project; Mai Jay, Information Services Librarian & Wendy Wayling, Children’s Librarian at WPL
The Westmount Public Library, the first municipal library in Quebec, opened in 1899 with a collection of 1,992 books. Today, the Library holds over 175,000 books, audiovisual, and eBooks with a circulation of over 236,000 and more than 1000 activities for all ages annually. This lecture will focus on the evolution of collections, services, and programmes at the Westmount Public Library.
November 23, Thursday from 7:pm to 9:00 pm in the Westmount Room of the Westmount Public Library
Speaker: Lora Baiocco, Online Services & Archives Librarian
Have you ever wondered what a 125-year-old library has kept and treasured over the years? This talk will shine a light on the Library’s archives and special collections. Come hear about a world-class postcard collection, share the visual delights of the art collection (including a Rembrandt), and follow the traces of history contained within the official archive.
Due to the pandemic, the April lecture was co-sponsored by the Westmount Public Library and given remotely in 2021, and David Lanken exhibited his work at the Gallery in Victoria Hall in the spring of 2022.
