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The congregation of the Grey Nuns of Montreal has announced the Youville Mother House in Pointe-à-Callière in Old Montreal will be transformed into Espace Marguerite d’Youville — a $35-million, 24-month redevelopment that will eventually allow visitors a glimpse of Montreal’s French colonial past.

The project, carried out in partnership with the Pointe-à-Callière museum and the Université de Montréal, will see the restoration of a collection of buildings dating from the 17th century as well as the establishment of the university’s archeology lab on-site.

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The museum, meanwhile, will be able to display all of its archaeological collections under one roof.

Photo by Allen McInnis / Montreal Gazette

The renovation will allow visitors to explore places like the Room for the Poor, which has survived virtually intact from the 17th century and where the needy could find a meal and comfort, as well as a vaulted cellar from the New France era that houses an original bread oven.

As the name suggests, Espace Marguerite d’Youville, will also detail the contribution made by congregation founder Ste. Marguerite d’Youville and her order to the development of Montreal.

While counting on the support of the Université de Montréal and Pointe-à-Callière, the congregation is also seeking financial assistance for the project from both levels of government and the City of Montreal.