2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the Armand-Frappier Health Museum, an institution that opened its doors in the fall of 1994 at the initiative of the Armand-Frappier Foundation, the Armand-Frappier Institute and the City of Laval.
Since then, more than 400,000 people have benefited from the activities of the museum, which is determined to have a positive influence on the health of its visitors, through two sites.
One of the notable points in the history of the museum lies in its move to new premises shared with the Cosmodôme. This long-term process was officially completed on January 31, 2023, the day the museum reopened after more than two years of work.
Aside from this major project, the museum has developed multiple temporary, permanent and traveling exhibitions, educational workshops in the laboratory as well as in schools and day camp programs.
“The museum has a very tangible social impact, because it encourages changes in its visitors that promote health and contribute to their well-being,” declared Christian Settano, president of the board of directors. In this way, he is now a key player in scientific communication in Quebec.”
The museum as well as its employees have also won several honors, notably the regional prizes for Regional Tourist Attraction and Favorite of the Grands prix du tourisme jury in 2008, the Relève prize from the Société des musées du Québec awarded in 2012 to Martine Isabelle, director of scientific content and programming, and the Human Resources/Tourist Employee prize from the Grands prix du tourisme awarded in 2014 to Caroline Labelle, customer service manager.
In 2017, Guylaine Archambault, general director of the museum since 2005, also won the Businesswoman – public and parapublic organizations prize from the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Tribute
On Thursday, June 18, the museum team held a festive happy hour to mark this anniversary, immediately after its annual general meeting.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, the board of directors paid tribute to four of its outgoing members, including its dean François Allard, former director general of Collège Montmorency. Yves-Michel Volcy, general director of the Laval School Services Center (CSSL), as well as Emmanuelle Jarry and Gabrielle Moisant, who also ended their volunteer involvement after several years of loyal service.
After the usual speeches, the guests were able to have fun by discovering a timeline recounting the main points of the 30 years of the museum, by participating in a scientific-historical quiz to test their knowledge or by signing written or video testimonies in connection with their museum experience.
Everything was accompanied by the melodies played by Helga Dathe, second violin of the Laval Symphony Orchestra (OSL), and her daughter Victoria.
Future
Some of these memories carrying hope for the future left by the participants will be included in a time capsule which will be open to the 60th anniversary of the Armand-Frappier Health Museum. Throughout the year, the scientific organization will collect testimonies as part of its exhibitions.
“We have a great responsibility to be exemplary, to raise awareness among our fellow citizens regarding the interdependence between humans, other species and the environment,” observed DG Guylaine Archambault, specifying the preferred angle which will be used by his team for years to come.
In October, a new temporary exhibition entitled Things are getting hot will be launched. This will focus on climate change and health.
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