General public

The Textile Strike of 1959-1960: Magog at a Crossroads

In the late 1950s, Magog was still beating to the textile rhythm despite the arrival of new industries.

With the strike from September 27, 1959 to February 15, 1960, Magog experienced an intense period marked with sacrifice and hardship, but it was also a period of questioning. On the verge of the Quiet revolution, it seemed more than ever that Magog was at a crossroads. In French only.

Speaker: Serge Gaudreau, Historian

Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 6 pm

Fee-based activity: $5

Reservations: 819-201-0727

From an Arrowhead to a Pair of Glasses: the Past Hidden Right Under Our Feet

Curious to know the results of Magog’s many archaeological interventions over recent years? Meet an archaeologist who will bring light to Magog's rich buried heritage.

Organized by the City of Magog

Speaker: Artefactuel

Wednesday, May 29, 6 pm

Free

Reservations: 819-201-0727

Classical Concert: Robert Cohen, Cello
Robert Cohen made his concerto debut at the age of twelve in London's Royal Festival Hall, and throughout the following forty years of his distinguished international career, he has been hailed as one of the foremost cellists of our time.

As well as being invited all across the world to perform concertos by conductors Claudio Abbado, Kurt Masur, Riccardo Muti, and Sir Simon Rattle, Robert Cohen has also collaborated in chamber music with many renowned soloists and ensembles such as Yehudi Menuhin and the Amadeus String Quartet.

Thursday, July 18, 2019, 6 pm

Fee-based activity: $25

Reservations: 819-201-0727

The Merry musical series is presented in collaboration with Orford Music, thanks to the generosity of Jean and Jocelyne Monty. Throughout the summer, five classical and jazz concerts will be presented at the Merry House. Artists will include in their performance pieces from repertories listened to in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Classical Concert: John O’Conor, Piano

Irish pianist John O’Conor has been receiving wonderful reviews for his masterful playing over the last forty years. Having studied in his native Dublin, in Vienna with Dieter Weber, and being tutored by the legendary Wilhelm Kempff, his unanimous 1st Prize at the International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna in 1973 opened the door to a career that has brought him all around the world.

For his service to music, he has been named as Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government and has received many other awards.

Thursday, July 25, 2019, 6 pm

Fee-based activity: $25

Reservations: 819-201-0727

The Merry musical series is presented in collaboration with Orford Music, thanks to the generosity of Jean and Jocelyne Monty. Throughout the summer, five classical and jazz concerts will be presented at the Merry House. Artists will include in their performance pieces from repertories listened to in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Jazz Concert: Jonathan Turgeon on Piano and Luc Herrmann on Guitar

A resident of the Townships and an active presence on the Montreal jazz scene, pianist Jonathan Turgeon has rapidly gained recognition for his creativity and dexterity. Drawing on his strong grasp of tradition, his classical background, and enthusiasm for breaking barriers between genres, Turgeon’s compositions reflect a personality all of their own.

Montreal native Luc Hermann stands out among the new generation of jazz guitarists.

The duo will be presenting a selection of early jazz inspired by Broadway.

Thursday, August 1^st, 2019, 6 pm

Fee-based activity: $25

Reservations: 819-201-0727

The Merry musical series is presented in collaboration with Orford Music, thanks to the generosity of Jean and Jocelyne Monty. Throughout the summer, five classical and jazz concerts will be presented at the Merry House. Artists will include in their performance pieces from repertories listened to in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Jazz Concert: François Jalbert on Guitar and Jérôme Beaulieu on Piano

Shefford native Jérôme Beaulieu holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Interpretation from the University of Montreal. Beaulieu’s jazz, pop and world music projects are wide-ranging, allowing him to grow as an instrumentalist, arranger, and composer. His personal project, the Jérôme Beaulieu Trio, was named Radio-Canada’s Revelation 2013.

The young, Montreal-born guitarist, François Jalbert, cut his teeth on the music of Django Reinhardt. He studied Jazz Interpretation at the University of Montreal, where he won the Montreal Jazz Festival’s prestigious Jazz Guitar Scholarship two years in a row. He remains very active on the Montreal jazz scene and has completed a Master’s Degree in Jazz Composition and Interpretation at McGill University. Jalbert was also awarded the Montreal Guitar Grand Prize in the jazz category in 2006 and 2008.

Longtime friends and collaborators, their acoustic music album, "This is a Real Place," was inspired by both jazz and folk and was released in 2017.

Thursday, August 15, 2019, 6 pm

Fee-based activity: $25

Reservations: 819-201-0727

The Merry musical series is presented in collaboration with Orford Music, thanks to the generosity of Jean and Jocelyne Monty. Throughout the summer, five classical and jazz concerts will be presented at the Merry House. Artists will include in their performance pieces from repertories listened to in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Classical Concert: Caroline Lizotte, Harp

Caroline Lizotte has led a solid career as a soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician over the last 25 years. She has been the second harp with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal since 2003.

Ms. Lizotte is internationally renowned as a brilliant French‑Canadian harpist and composer. Her harp works are celebrated and performed around the world in various festivals and many international harp competitions, and they are listed among the most influential works of the harp repertoire in the late 20th and 21st centuries.

Thursday, August 8, 2019, 6 pm

Fee-based activity: $25

Reservations: 819-201-0727

The Merry musical series is presented in collaboration with Orford Music, thanks to the generosity of Jean and Jocelyne Monty. Throughout the summer, five classical and jazz concerts will be presented at the Merry House. Artists will include in their performance pieces from repertories listened to in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

History of Alcoholic Beverages in Quebec

It is not news that people here appreciate alcoholic beverages. Whether it is for personal use, to get around prohibition, or to do something out of the ordinary, our ancestors have learned to draw the essence of our land to create new alcohols... as evidenced by the tremendous growth of the microbrewery, as well as cider and wine production since the 1970s. Cheers!

Tasting: Three pairings of alcoholic beverages and Quebec cheese.

Speaker: Catherine Ferland, Historian

Wednesday, September 25, 2019, 6 pm

Fee-based activity: $25

Reservations: 819-201-0727

Handmade Soap Production

Of all textures and colours, soap is an important ingredient in our households. Learn how to make your own soap!  Not recommended for children 5 years and under

Artisan: Savonnerie des Diligences

Sunday, October 6, 2019, 10:30 am

Fee-based activity:

Family (4 people): $35

Extra child: $8

Adult single: $10

Child single: $10

Reservations: 819-201-0727

 I Remember… the Textile Workers

The Merry House highlights the contribution of textile workers during a 5 to 7, followed by a viewing of Denys Arcand's documentary film On est au coton.

Friday, November 22, 2019, 5:30 pm

Fee-based activity: $10

(free for former Textile workers)

Reservations: 819-201-0727

Merry Christmas!

From the many traditions of Christmas, we choose to decorate cookies and greeting cards to put us in the mood for the holidays. Young and old will experience joy and happiness!

Artisan: Les Délices de Wendy

Sunday, December 8, 2019, 10:30 am and 1:30 pm

Fee-based activity:

Family (4 people): $30

Additional child: $6

Adult single: $10

Child single: $10

Reservations: 819-201-0727. Not recommended for children 5 years and under

The Food of the First Settlers

From subsistence farming to industrialization, the way we eat in Quebec has greatly changed. The rudimentary agricultural techniques of the 19th century have given way to a more mechanized agriculture, and processed foods play a larger role in our diet. What did the first settlers eat? What was the American and British influence on our diet?

Speaker: Laurent Turcot, Historian

December (details to come), 6 pm

Fee-based activity: $10

Reservations: 819-201-0727

The Merry Family

Discover the story of the Merry family through various anecdotes of their everyday life throughout the 19^th century. Today considered the founding family of Magog, the Merrys actively contributed to the city’s economic and social development. In French only.

The conference will be preceded by the launch of the Merry House 2019 programming.

Speaker: Geneviève Dorion Belisle, Historian and Project Manager at the Merry House.

Traditional Chocolate Confection

Discover the fascinating story of cocoa’s discovery and its use over time. Then follow the steps to make your own chocolate! In French only.

Artisan: Chocolats Vanden Eynden

Sunday, February 24, 2019, 10:30 am

Fee-based activity:

Family (2 adults and 2 children): $30

Additional child: $6

Adult single: $10

Child single: $10

Reservations: 819-201-0727

Archaeology Family Workshop

Immerse your family in the depths of Magog's history and discover our ancestors’ way of life by manipulating artefacts and learning the basics of archaeology. Not recommended for children 5 years and under.

Activity included in the entrance fee

Reservations: 819-201-0727