Aylmer’s built heritage took center stage at 26th Salon du patrimoine

Tashi Farmilo

Aylmer’s architectural legacy and collective memory were at the heart of the 26th Salon du patrimoine de l’Outaouais, where residents, historians, and heritage advocates gathered to celebrate and reflect on the region’s past.

Held on May 10, with opening remarks at the Centre culturel du Vieux-Aylmer, the event was organized by the Réseau du patrimoine de Gatineau et de l’Outaouais (RPGO) in partnership with the Association du patrimoine d’Aylmer (APA). This year’s edition shone a spotlight on Aylmer’s built heritage while marking two major milestones: the APA’s 50th anniversary and the 175th anniversary of the macadamization of Chemin d’Aylmer—a transformative 19th-century road surfacing project that established the route as a key regional artery. Activities and exhibits continued throughout the day at various heritage sites across the district.

The day began with remarks from Pontiac MNA André Fortin, Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, APA co-president Enid Page, and Patrick Law, president of Château Logue Inc. Fortin, recalling his own upbringing in Aylmer, spoke to the emotional and cultural significance of the place. “We always want to give our children what we didn’t have,” he said, “but we must also give them what we did have.”

Marquis-Bissonnette emphasized Gatineau’s growing investment in heritage preservation, citing the city’s expanded inventory of historic buildings, which grew from 634 to over 2,300 identified properties. “Heritage is a great source of pride,” she said. “It shapes our identity, marks our stories, and connects us to one another.” As honorary president of the salon, she also presented a certificate of recognition to Enid Page and the APA, honouring five decades of advocacy and grassroots preservation.

Page followed with a wide-ranging historical account of Aylmer’s development—from its Anishinabe roots to colonial settlement and 19th-century civic growth. Speaking from the former courthouse that hosted the event, she underscored the need to acknowledge the lasting impacts of colonization. “Our history is our common heritage,” she said. “It’s what unites us.”

Patrick Law, a descendant of early builders in the region, highlighted the importance of community-led heritage work and announced that the 27th edition of the Salon will be held at Château Logue in Maniwaki in May 2026. “We do this work because we believe in it,” he said. “We move forward because we have each other’s support—and because our heritage still has stories to tell.”

As the day unfolded, history was brought to life through guided walking tours, museum visits, theatrical performances, and hands-on exhibits. Tours of Vieux-Aylmer introduced participants to heritage landmarks such as the British Hotel, the Symmes Inn, and the 1852 courthouse. At the Symmes Museum, local historian Roger Blanchette explored the Ottawa River’s role in regional commerce and settlement, while children engaged in a “detective bingo” scavenger hunt through the exhibits.

Outside the cultural centre, more than 20 heritage organizations hosted booths featuring archival materials, genealogy tools, and interactive activities. Lectures by Lionel Whiteduck of Kitigan Zibi and Michel Prévost provided deeper historical context, from Indigenous presence to the lives of early settlers now buried at Bellevue Cemetery.

A short theatrical vignette gave voice to two pioneering women of Aylmer’s history—Mary Conroy and Hannah Symmes—while shuttle tours transported visitors to key heritage sites across the area. Costumed interpreters and live street performances animated the past, making it tangible and present.

The 26th Salon did more than commemorate the past; it renewed a collective commitment to heritage as a living part of civic identity—something to preserve, celebrate, and pass forward.