« Une parole de Dieu fraîchement exprimée » : Fondements, usages et représentations du musée scolaire dans les pensionnats de filles des Soeurs des Saints Noms de Jésus et de Marie (1843-1981)

Abstract

From 1840 to 1940, there has been a noted increase of school museums dedicated to the Natural Sciences in Quebec. This article analyses the model for museums in different educational establishments for girls in the Montreal area developed by the Congrégation des Soeurs des Saints Noms de Jésus et de Marie. Based on an intuitive approach, lessons using objects, the development of original collections of specimens has been made possible through the voluntary and collective work of the nuns and the students. Ultimately, the collections were displayed in rooms which, over time, have been organized in such a way as to transmit a message in accordance with the spirituality and the world vision of the nuns.