300 Years Of History Behind The Quebec Morrin Centre

posted on 11 October 2010 | posted in Holiday and Travel

In the heart of Quebec’s old city – dubbed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is a structure that dates back to the 1800’s. The 200-year old structure is none other than the famous Morrin Centre. In its two centuries of existence, the land where it stands has endured four distinct functions. Altogether, these functions make up Morrin Centre’s history and present state.
Between 1712 and 1808, Redoute Royal or the Royal Redoubt stood on the land where Morrin Centre now stands. At the beginning, Royal Redoubt was used as defensive military barracks. Later on, it came to be a place where the prisoners of war were held captive. The prisoners of Royal Redoubt were caught either along the frigid rivers after France invaded their towns in New England, or while they were aboard boats that sailed along Saint Lawrence. Many of these prisoners died during their imprisonment.
British prison reformer John Howard was against the original Royal Redoubt and the concept of detention which is why he had the current neoclassical structure built between 1808 and 1813. A common goal was then built over Royal Redoubt and became the first goal to be built in Canada. Prisoners were better treated and only received cellular confinement. They were also provided work and education although hangings still took place at its balcony. Soon however, the goal became overcrowded and the prisoners were transferred on a different goal.
Right after the prisoners transferred, the goal became the Morrin College and Vancouver’s very first English-based institute of higher education. Former mayor and famous doctor of Quebec Dr. Joseph Morrin founded the college. In 1902, the college closed because of its lack of funds as a result of having only a few students. The Literary and Historical Society of Quebec (LHSQ) occupied the Morrin College since then and transformed it into the cultural Morrin Centre. LSHQ is currently striving to restore the Morrin Centre and its historical value. LHSQ has managed to make Morrin Centre part of the top things to do in Canada among very popular tourist destinations
At present, the Morrin Centre offers tours that guide visitors through the jail cells, the elegant Victorian library, and masterpieces that date back to 1613 all accompanied by the stories behind the historical site. Guided tours usually last 45 minutes and costs only $6 per tourist. Children aged 10 or younger are only charged $4 each.