WHO ARE WE ?
Facing the decrease in the practices of traditional blacksmithing in Quebec and the absence of places of preservation and transmission of the techniques and know-how associated with them, the Forges de Montréal organization was founded in 2000 with the mission of preserve, promote and transmit this tangible and intangible cultural heritage for present and future generations.
OUR VISION
Make the forge a vehicle for popular education and collective development.
OUR VALUES
A commitment to future generations, translated by the will to transmit to them knowledge and know-how that will allow them to reclaim the modes of production and consumption;
Respect for masters and traditional techniques of forging, as practiced before machines and mass productions supplant the actions and intentions of the craftsman;
An eco-responsible conscience, implementing techniques and manufacturing processes based on an economy of material and energy resources, and a limitation of the manufacturing impact on the ecosystem in which they are used;
An expression of authenticity, goodness and usefulness, acting as a guide in every action implemented, from conception to the realization of objects.
WHAT WE DO
Les Forges de Montréal is a meeting place for the blacksmith community of Quebec, a research laboratory on blacksmithing techniques, a school for teaching traditional blacksmithing practices for beginners and professionals, an incubator for the next generation of craftspeople and a space public education.
A wide range of activities are carried out, according to the four components of our mission:
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Preserve through the study, characterization and inventory of traditional techniques representative of the forge and artisanal steel industry;
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Disseminate through exhibitions, open houses and demonstration activities, interpretation of the pumping station and public performances;
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Transmit through avant-garde programs, both theoretical and practical, for young, adult, beginner and professional audiences;
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To update through support for craftsmen, the rehabilitation of forging techniques for the restoration of the built heritage and contemporary creation, interdisciplinary, intercultural and innovative collaboration.
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OUR HISTORY
1887 - Construction of the Riverside Pumping Station (architects Perreault and Ménard)
1960 - The pumping station is gradually abandoned
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1997 - Mathieu Collette follows his training in France to become a professional blacksmith
2000 - Foundation of Les Forges de Montréal
2001 - Les Forges de Montréal signs a lease with the City of Montréal to occupy the former pumping station
2001 to 2004 - Restoration and rehabilitation of the building
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2006 - The first forge fires are lit
2008 - 1st participation of the Forges de Montréal in the Journées de la culture
2008 - Start of historical research on New-France axe manufacturing techniques
2009 - 1st open door of the organization to the Montreal public
2010 - Mathieu Collette obtains a CALQ grant in research and creation for his work "Matérialiser".
2012 - Les Forges participates for the first time at the Nuit Blanche de Montréal
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2016 - Launch of the first introductory course on traditional forging
2016 - Collaboration with the Conseil des Métiers d'art du Québec to offer the professional training "Art blacksmiths and ironworkers: restoration and reproduction of old wrought iron structures".
2016 - Participation in the 1st Rendez-Vous Maestria, organized by the Conseil des Métiers d'art du Québec
2016 - Inauguration of the travelling exhibition "Blacksmiths of Quebec: From New France to Video Games".
2016 - Les Forges welcomes the 1st edition of the Festival Vivre le Patrimoine!
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2016 - Notice of eviction from the pumping station and 1st mobilization campaign
2016 - The Forges win their case and avoid eviction
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2017 - Participation in the Festival des Coutelliers de Vallorbes (Switzerland) as a guest of honour
2017 - Foundation of La Maison du forgeron in Saint-Thélo (Brittany, France) and pairing of the 2 organizations
2017 - Research and creation for the production of urban agriculture tools
2017 - Submission of a brief for the City of Montreal's draft Heritage Action Plan
2017 - Installation of 5 new cutlery stations
2017 - First participation in the Pointe-à-Callière Museum's Rencontres en Nouvelle-France
2017 - Master class on Japanese steel with guest blacksmith Fusataro
2017 - Launch of the intermediate training program on tongs
2017 - Les Forges de Montréal wins the Heritage Operation Award, Know-how category
2017 - Les Forges de Montréal obtains a grant for the creation of a permanent exhibition
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2018 - Collaboration with the CMAQ for the training "Artisans and architecture: a beneficial collaboration".
2018 - Participation in the City of Montreal's Opération patrimoine celebration
2018 - Launch of the pilot project of educational workshops in partnership with Collège Georges-Vanier
2018 - Launch of the guided tours program at the forge
2018 - Organization of a Jane's Walk with the organizations involved in the sector
2018 - Acquisition of the gates of the Shaughnessy House, now the Canadian Centre for Architecture
2018 - International Forges Mission at Forge LeBailly in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon (France)
2018 - Collaboration with the CMAQ for professional training "Blacksmiths and ironworkers: restoration and reproduction of old wrought iron works".
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2019 - Creation of a hammer for UBISOFT
2019 - Rhythms: from past to future, Participation at La Nuit Blanche de Montréal
2019 - Production of traditional tools, in collaboration with the Matera brewery
2019 - Participation at the Rendez-vous Maestria, 3rd edition
2019 - New professional training on architectural ironwork, in partnership with CMAQ
2019 - Submission of a brief at the PPU des Faubourgs
2019 - Preview of the documentary film on the Forges de Montréal, Foundations
2019 - Launch of the new training course on traditional cutlery
2019 - Participation in the Festival Beside, in the Iles-de-Boucherville
2019 - Obtaining the Certificate of Approval as a Training Organisation by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity (no. 0059593)
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June 2019 - Public consultations on the development of the Bridge-Bonaventure sector begin
August 2019 - Launch of the "SIGN FOR FORGE" support campaign
