A dream finally come true
Laval, January 30, 2023 ─ The major relocation and development project for the Armand-Frappier Health Museumwill reach its culmination tomorrow, January 31, 2023, when the new 1,800-square-meter facility, adjacent to Cosmodome Laval, officially opens its doors to welcome its first visitors. The project represents a $14 million investment and features two exhibition halls, four laboratories, and three multipurpose rooms spread over two floors.
Dr. Frappier’s Legacy: Understanding Health Issues
The renovated facility, which opens to the public tomorrow, is inspired by the spirit of Dr. Frappier, a leading Quebec pioneer in preventive medicine and vaccination. “Our institution contributes to the education and continuing education of our fellow citizens, young and old alike, to equip them to take care of themselves, their loved ones, their community, other species, and the planet—all these facets of health being interconnected and forming the concepts of sustainable health and One Health,” said the Museum’s Executive Director, Ms. Guylaine Archambault. She invited the public to explore the four levels of health—molecules and cells, individuals, populations, and the planet—through the permanent exhibition 4, 3, 2, 1…Health! and Pandemics: Humanity’s Challenge, the temporary exhibition on view until early September.
Three times as many visitors thanks to our partners
For the Museum’s Board Chair, Ms. Rosemonde Mandeville, “this is a major milestone in the institution’s history, as it will continue its educational mission on a human scale while reaching three times as many visitors as before! ” She expressed her gratitude for the contribution of the City of Laval, which invested $11.2 million and led the construction project in addition to supporting the Museum’s mission; to Canadian Heritage, which contributed to the relocation project and supports the development of its traveling exhibitions; and to the Ministry of Culture and Communications, for its support of the permanent exhibition and its operations. Ms. Mandeville also acknowledged other partners, such as the Cosmodome which the Museum now shares services and reception areas; Kanuk, which generously provided lab coats for the Museum’s laboratories; and Dr. Gervais Dionne, a long-time major patron of the Museum. The minister responsible for the Laval region, Mr. Christopher Skeete, recently stated that he was “delighted by the support our government provides to the Museum. I invite citizens of all ages to come and make discoveries in the exhibits and the laboratory and to meet its science-enthusiast facilitators.”
Another gem for Laval’s cultural and scientific heritage
Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer expressed his pride in the addition of this high-quality space, both for Laval residents and for visitors and tourists. “The museum’s development project represents a major step toward establishing downtown Laval as a hub for tourism, museums, and recreation. The Armand-Frappier Health Museum enhances the rich cultural and scientific offerings already well-established in Laval. I am confident that the programming will spark visitors’ curiosity and inspire wonder about human health.”
A successful strategic relocation
Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage, offered his congratulations on the success of the relocation project: “The new facilities of the Armand-Frappier Health Museum, now located on the Cosmodome site, will make it possible to offer even more engaging exhibitions to young people and their families so they can learn more about the health sciences. Congratulations to everyone who participated in this project!” The Department of Canadian Heritage also helped support the creation of the opening temporary exhibition, Pandemics: Humanity’s Challenge.
Discoveries, lectures, and surprises for spring break
In addition to the two new exhibitions and participation in laboratory workshops, visitors will be able to attend a 20-minute theatrical performance titled *Armand Frappier: A Duty to Remember!*, which highlights Dr. Frappier’s work, from February 25 to March 5, 2023. Two lectures, on February 16 and March 29, delivered by experts Stéphanie Burelle, an emergency physician, and Laurence Brière, a researcher at UQÀM, as well as experts Patrick Fillion, a biology teacher, and Karl Weiss, a clinical and microbiology professor, will address, respectively, the concept of One Health and the microbes with which we share our bodies.
About the Armand-Frappier Health Museum
The Armand-Frappier Health Museum opened its doors in 1994 with a mission to promote the work of Dr. Frappier, a pioneer in microbiology and preventive medicine in Quebec. The Museum collects and preserves Quebec’s heritage related to microbiology and health research. Following its relocation, the Museum occupies a building adjacent to Cosmodome Laval, located at 2150 Autoroute des Laurentides. The new Museum houses two exhibition halls—2 and 150 m² respectively—four educational laboratories of 50 m² each, and three multifunctional rooms of 50 m². A 50-square-meter storage area serves as a repository for the artifacts and archival documents from the Museum’s three collections. To plan your visit and purchase tickets by booking online, visit: https://museefrappier.org
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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For more information and interviews:
Nathalie Roy, Sophie Marsolais
(514) 889-3622 (514) 258-0455
