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Replica of Nicéphore Niépce's camera
(circa 1825)
Photo courtesy of MPP |
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This photo of Oscar Peterson was used to make a postage stamp in his honour.
Photo copyright Gilbert Duclos, donated to the MPP's permanent collection.
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A functional camera housed in a beer can.
Photo courtesy of MPP
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To find the new Museum of Popular Photography (MPP), you only need to look for Drummondville's highest church spire. Opened in 2006, the small museum rents space in the basement of St. Frédéric's Catholic Church.
Founded and run by Jean Lauzon, a photojournalist with 30 years experience, the museum is unique in Canada in that it focuses on cameras themselves as well as on the photography.
Visitors can check out Leonardo da Vinci's (1452-1533) reproduced notes about pinholes, which essentially predicted the invention of the camera.
Also on display is a replica of the camera that Frenchman Nicéphore Niépce (1775-1833) used to take the world's first photograph sometime around 1825, and a reproduction of his first photograph (a shot of a rooftop). In fact, Lauzon was inspired to open the MPP by a visit to a photography museum in Chalon-sur-Saône in France, where Niépce's original camera is housed.
A question that comes begging is, why here? Drummondville is best known as a gas stop on the way to Quebec City, and most of the exhibit's items were made and invented far from this town of 70,000 souls.
Perhaps part of the explanation is that Drummondville is a good spot for finding collectible items. The nearby village of St. Eulalie is the place in Quebec to go antique shopping. Many of the museum's artefacts are donations from local citizens and some of these may come from antique shops. A 1929 Rolleiflex camera still carries the stamp of the Berlin shop where it was purchased, along with instruction papers (in German only). Neat stereoscopic cameras, featuring two or even four lenses are also featured as well as a large 3-dimensional photo of Lower Manhattan pre-9/11.
Visitors can check out Leonardo da Vinci's (1452-1533)
reproduced notes about pinholes, which essentially predicted the invention of the camera.
But the focus is not only on international photography; in the permanent collection is a 1988 shot by Montreal photographer Gilbert Duclos that started a legal controversy. The picture - showing a young lady sitting in a doorway - was published in a magazine without her permission. She sued for damages and the ensuing court battle pitted freedom of the press against the protection of individual rights. The Supreme Court eventually ruled in favour of individual rights, much to the continuing chagrin of photojournalists.
While there is a program for school visits to the museum, families with young children will find few interactive exhibits for the kids. To compensate, Lauzon offers anagrams and games, as well as a treasure hunt activity in French.
The current temporary exhibit includes photos of Drummondville from the 1899 and 1921, showing the smouldering ruins of the church (it caught fire twice) in which the museum is now housed. The next temporary exhibit, tentatively scheduled for May, will focus on the work of Zahra Kazemi, the Canadian photographer murdered while detained in an Iranian jail.
But the museum isn't the only attraction in Drummondville. You can also visit the 19th century replica Village Québécois d'Antan, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and the Rose Drummond greenhouses where you can walk through the Rose Interpretation Centre. For thrill seekers, one of the largest treetop obstacle courses in Quebec, D'Arbre en Arbre Drummondville will open here in June.
Some 90 minutes east from Montreal on Highway 20, Drummondville is easily close enough to make the return trip in an afternoon. For those wanting to linger, however, there is plenty to see, do, and eat.
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John Symon is a Montreal-based freelance writer and the author of Exploring Montreal with Kids.
| If You Go |
Musée populaire de la photographie (MPP)
217, rue Brock
(819) 474-5782/477-7183
http://www.cafe.rapidus.net
Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Village Québécois d'Antan
1425, rue Montplaisir
(819) 478-1441/1-877-710-0267
http://www.villagequebecois.com
Open June 1st to Labour Day,
every day 10h to 17h30, and weekends in September
Other attractions, including Rose Drummond:
Tourisme Drummond - SDED
(819) 477-5529/1-877 235-9569
www.tourisme-drummond.com
Quebec's Antique Shop Circuit
http://www.lesantiquaires.ca
Restaurant Bar Le Guerras
209, rue Brock
(819) 477-7373 |
Resto Pub La Trattoria
195, rue Lindsay
(819) 474-0020
http://www.trattoria.ca/
Open Mon.-Wed. 11h to 21h, Thurs.-Fri. 11h to 22h, Sat. 16h to 22h, Sun. (except Sept. to May) 16h to 21h
Crêperie Bretonne
131, rue St-Georges
(819) 477-9148
If you linger
Hôtel & Suites Le Dauphin
600, boul. St-Joseph
1-800-567-0995
http://www.le-dauphin.com
Best Western Hôtel Universel
915, rue Hains
1-866-705-6585
http://www.bestwestern.qc.ca
Auberge Aux 3 Lucarnes
1199, rang 7 L'Avenir
1-877-826-2971
http://www.aux3lucarnes.com/ |
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