A dream finally realized
Laval, January 30, 2023 ─ The major project to relocate and develop the Musée de la santé Armand-Frappierwill come to fruition tomorrow, January 31, 2023, when the new 1,800 m2 facility, adjacent to Cosmodome de Laval, officially opens its doors to welcome its first visitors. The $14 million project comprises two showrooms, four laboratories and three multi-purpose rooms on two floors.
Docteur Frappier's legacy: understanding health issues
The renewed institution that welcomes the public from tomorrow is inspired by the spirit of Dr. Frappier, the great Quebec pioneer of preventive medicine and vaccination. "Our institution contributes to the education and ongoing training of our fellow citizens, young and old, 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 Museum Executive Director Guylaine Archambault. She invited the public to come and discover the four scales of health: molecules and cells, individuals, populations and the planet, through the permanent exhibition 4, 3, 2, 1...Santé! and Pandemics: Humanity faces the challenge, the temporary exhibition presented until early September.
Three times as many visitors thanks to partners
For Rosemonde Mandeville, Chairman of the Museum's Board of Directors, "this is a major milestone in the very life of the institution, which will pursue its educational mission on a human scale, while reaching out to three times as many visitors as before!" She praised the contribution of the Ville de Laval, which invested $11.2 million and spearheaded the construction project, as well as supporting the Museum's mission; Canadian Heritage, which contributed to the relocation project and supports the development of its travelling exhibitions; and the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications, for its support of the permanent exhibition and its operations. Ms. Mandeville also saluted other partners, such as Cosmodome , with whom the Museum now shares services and reception areas, Kanuk, who has generously provided lab coats for the Museum's laboratories, and Dr. Gervais Dionne, a major patron of the Museum for many years. The Minister responsible for the Laval region, Mr. Christopher Skeete, recently stated that he was "delighted with the support our government is giving the Museum. I invite citizens of all ages to come and make discoveries in the exhibitions and laboratories, and to meet the Museum's science enthusiasts.
Another jewel in Laval's cultural and scientific heritage
Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer said he was proud of the addition of this high-quality space for Laval residents, visitors and tourists alike. "The Museum development project represents a major step towards consolidating downtown Laval as a tourist, museum and recreational hub. The Musée de la santé Armand-Frappier will enhance the rich cultural and scientific offering already well established in Laval. I'm convinced that the programming will arouse visitors' curiosity and 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 Musée de la santé Armand-Frappier, now located on the Cosmodome site, will make it possible to offer even more interesting exhibits to young people and their families, so that they can learn more about the health sciences. Congratulations to everyone involved in this project! The Department of Canadian Heritage also helped support the creation of the opening temporary exhibition, Pandemics: Humanity in the Face of the 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 : Armand Frappier : un devoir de mémoire! featuring the work of Dr. Frappier, from February 25 to March 5, 2023. Two lectures, on February 16 and March 29, given by experts Stéphanie Burelle, emergency physician, and Laurence Brière, researcher at UQÀM, and experts Patrick Fillion, biology teacher, and Karl Weiss, clinical and microbiology professor, will deal respectively with the concept of a single health and the microbes with which we share our bodies.
About the Musée de la santé Armand-Frappier
The Musée de la santé Armand-Frappier opened its doors in 1994 with the mission of promoting the work of Dr. Frappier, a pioneer of microbiology and preventive medicine in Quebec. The Museum collects and preserves Quebec's heritage in microbiology and health research. Following its relocation, the Museum now occupies a building adjacent to Cosmodome in Laval, located at 2150 Autoroute des Laurentides. The new Museum houses two exhibition rooms2 and 150 m2 respectively, four 50 m2 educational laboratories and three 50 m2 multifunctional rooms. A 50 m2 storeroom serves as a showcase for objects and archival documents from the Museum's three collections. To plan your visit and reserve tickets online, visit: https: //museefrappier.org
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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For information and interviews:
Nathalie Roy, Sophie Marsolais
(514) 889-3622 (514) 258-0455
