NDG Historical Society
The mission of the NDG Historical Society, founded in 2022, is to preserve and promote the rich histories of Montreal’s Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood. We pursue this through such activities as conferences, exhibitions, walking tours, archival conservation, and creative community projects.
Founded in 2022, the NDG Historical Society is dedicated to preserving, researching, and sharing the rich and diverse history of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
Its members come from a wide range of backgrounds and are united by a commitment to making NDG’s past accessible to the public.
The Society offers walking tours, public lectures, regular open houses, exhibitions, and an active social media presence. It is currently focusing its efforts on commemorating NDG’s 150th anniversary.
COORDINATEUR : JEFFREY KASTNER
PERSONNEL: SARA MIZANNOJEHDEHI , JULIETTE BILODEAU, DELIA OLTEAN, SARA TROTTA (VOLUNTEER)
Membres : Bruce Bolton, Louise Legault, Christopher Lyons, Helen Meredith, Rosemarie Schade, Nathalie Senécal, Norm Spatz
Activities & Projects
2026: 150th anniversary Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
In December 1876, the creation of the municipality of the village of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce was proclaimed. (WiKi)
The NDG Historical Society is proud to announce its preparations for a milestone celebration: the 150th anniversary of our community, which is coming up in 2026. As chroniclers of our shared heritage, we are committed to honoring this special occasion in ways that celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures, and vibrant community spirit that have shaped Notre Dame de Grace.
In collaboration with valued community partners, such as PAAL, we are planning a series of events to bring people of all ages together in a joyous commemoration. Proposed activities will include historical exhibits, walking tours, interactive events, decorations, and community festivals. Each event will offer an opportunity to reflect on our history and look forward to our future.
We invite everyone in the community to join us on this journey toward the 150th anniversary celebration. Together, we can make this landmark year a memorable chapter in the story of Notre Dame de Grace. Keep an eye out for further updates as we look forward to creating lasting memories with the whole community!
Please contact us at histoires@ndg.ca to share your ideas and memories. Also, let us know if you would like to get involved.
NDG en Histoires: Weekly drop-in every Thursday
NDG en Histoires has weekly drop-in hours every Thursday at the NDG Community Council (5964 Notre-Dame-de-Grâce #205) between 2 PM and 4 PM.
Feel free to drop by for a chat, to ask us your questions about NDG's history, or to donate any photos/diaries/newspapers to our archives!
INFORMATION
Principle activities for 2025-2026:
Walking Tour
- 4 May 2025: How's a person supposed to have fun in this place? A tour of mid-20th century drinking establishments and entertainment spots. (25 attendees)
Public Talks:
- 31 May 2025: The Empress Theatre: From Glittering Palace to Grassroots Icon (35 attendees)
- 20 Sept. 2025: The Founding of the Notre Dame de Grace Library for Boys and Girls in 1943 (25 attendees)
- 12 April 2026: A Short History of the St. Pierre River, or How to Lose a Waterway (50 attendees)
Preservation Study:
- Engaged McGill School of Urban Planning to conduct study on the preservation of the historic architecture and greenspace of the Domaine Villa-Maria
Publications:
- December 2025 : 2026 Commemorative calendar for NDG’s 150th anniversary (150 copies)
- Inventory of murals in NDG
- Inventory of commemorative markers in NDG
- Multiple informative posts on Facebook and Instagram
