Caisses Desjardins du Québec and Caisses populaires de l'Ontario [Change site]
A house steeped in history
Photo: Jacques Beardsell
Maison Alphonse-Desjardins holds a unique place in North America's collective heritage. The cradle of the cooperative savings and credit movement, it was the site of significant historical events. It received the visit of several influential people and saw the start of what would become the largest cooperative financial group in Canada.
The significant heritage and historical value of this commemorative site has been pointed out several times, receiving official recognition. Maison Alphonse-Desjardins is a “recognized museum”, a “cultural property” classified as a “historic monument” whose first owner, Alphonse Desjardins, was designated a “National Historic Person”. It housed the head office of Caisse populaire de Lévis, whose founding was recognized as a “National Historic Event”.
Maison Alphonse-Desjardins and its first occupants have also received other recognition throughout the years: Liste des principales reconnaissances accordées à la Maison Alphonse-Desjardins et à ses premiers occupants (in French only, PDF, 24 KB).
To learn more about the house's history:- La construction de la Maison Alphonse-Desjardins (in French only, PDF, 840 KB)
- Simplicité et élégance - L'architecture de la Maison Alphonse-Desjardins (in French only, PDF, 832 KB)
- La Maison Alphonse-Desjardins. Ses occupants d'hier à aujourd'hui (in French only, PDF, 1.63 MB)
- Une résidence familiale au cœur de l'histoire (in French only, PDF, 832 KB)
- Une tradition d'accueil des gouverneurs généraux du Canada (in French only, PDF, 1.32 MB)
Visiting Maison Alphonse-Desjardins
Maison Alphonse-Desjardins invites you to take an intimate look at the history of a couple who, through their commitment and tenacity, worked to achieve a great dream.
The house was painstakingly restored in the Victorian style, transporting visitors back to 1906 when the Desjardins family lived there and operated the head office of Caisse populaire de Lévis out of their home. Free guided tours give visitors an opportunity to see the context in which the major cooperative project emerged and a glimpse into the family's domestic world.
The new permanent exhibit, The legacy of a couple, features the inspiring biographical journey of Alphonse and Dorimène Desjardins. It includes artifacts, photos and recordings depicting the defining events in the couple's history and that of the caisses populaires. It is, for visitors, a touching encounter with the cooperators who faced many challenges to leave their fellow citizens a precious legacy.
Maison Alphonse-Desjardins offers customized, dynamic tours that reflect the unique character of the site. The museum is open year-round and admission is free.
See visiting hours and make a reservation
See the promotional flier (PDF, 1.7 MB).
Photo: Michel Julien
Photo: Martin Bergeron
Services
Boutique
Bring back a souvenir of your visit to Maison Alphonse-Desjardins to your loved ones.
The boutique offers a range of products with the image of the Desjardins residence: piggy banks, playing cards, pins, postcards, etc.
Also on sale at the boutique are publications, some of which produced by Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins historians.
All of these products may be purchased on site.
Travelling exhibit
Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins has designed and helped design several exhibits featuring the history and legacy of Desjardins Group, its founder and co-founder. Its achievements include a travelling exhibit entitled “Plus d'un siècle d'accompagnement à la prise en charge financière des individus et des collectivités”, focusing on Desjardins Group's concern with cooperative, economic and financial education.
To rent the travelling exhibit, contact us.
Détails sur l'exposition itinérante (in French only, PDF, 117 KB)
Loans and donations of artifacts
Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins makes available to organizations promoting history and heritage a few artifacts from its collections to enhance their exhibits.
You may also, if you wish, contribute to the conservation of Desjardins Group’s collective heritage.
To learn more about loans and donations of artifacts to Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins, see Other services and activities.
Upcoming events
Special events take place throughout the year at Maison Alphonse-Desjardins.
Family spring break at Maison Alphonse-Desjardins
March 2 to 10, 2013, 10:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, and noon to 5:00 p.m. weekends
Take a trip back in time to the last century and meet Alphonse and Dorimène Desjardins. Children can dress up in the clothes of those who brought cooperation to life in their home. Whether you're a streetcar driver, farmer, wife of a shopkeeper or run the general store, all are welcome to the Desjardins family home. Accompanied by a guide, take part in a rally during which you'll learn the fascinating history of caisses populaires.
No reservations required.
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 By mail |
6, rue du Mont-Marie Lévis (Québec) G6V 1V9 |
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 By phone |
Quebec City area: 418-835-2090 Elsewhere in Canada: 1-866-835-8444, ext. 2090 |
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 By fax |
418-835-9173 |
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 By e-mail |
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Video
Video visit of Maison Alphonse-Desjardins (in French only)
Length:
1 min 10 s
