Free Activities for the 175th Anniversary of the Chambly Canal National Historic Site

Parks Canada invites you to a fascinating trip back in time

June 27, 2018                                Chambly, Quebec                            Parks Canada Agency

To celebrate the 175th anniversary of the opening of the Chambly Canal to navigation, Parks Canada invites the public to take advantage of free activities on July 7 at the new Place des barges, located at the corner of Maurice and Migneault Streets in Chambly, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The celebration of the 175th anniversary of the canal includes a special program of activities and a fascinating trip back in time. This festive day will allow visitors to discover, or re‑discover this place, which is emblematic of the Richelieu Valley and the profession of lockmaster, as it is today and as it was in the past.

The following is planned for this day of celebration:

• Guided tour of the Chambly Canal with a historian from Parks Canada: departures at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. (no reservation required);

• Lockmaster for a Day activity: Work the locks manually; 

• Activity booth with inflatable games, photo booth with period costumes, drawing contest, games and more;

• Visit from Parka, the popular mascot; and

• Exhibition of period photographs.

The special events surrounding the 175th anniversary of the Chambly Canal will continue this fall with a series of lectures presented by Parks Canada, in collaboration with the Société d'histoire de la seigneurie de Chambly and the Société d'histoire du Haut-Richelieu, on the history of the construction of the canal, its transformations over the years and archeological discoveries.

The Chambly Canal, which opened for commercial navigation in 1843, played a critical role in the export of Canadian forest products to the United States. With its nine locks, most of which are still operated manually, the 20-km canal on the Richelieu River now allows recreational vessels to pass and avoid the Chambly Rapids.

To have a memorable time and make the most of their Parks Canada experience, visitors are encouraged to plan their trip in advance by visiting the Parks Canada website. Visitors are also encouraged to download the incredibly popular Parks Canada mobile app and follow Parks Canada on social media for more information about the breathtaking locations and hidden gems at national parks, marine conservation areas, and historic sites.