Since it opened its doors in the fall of 2016, the Micromusée du Plan Bouchard has invited citizens to discover the history of their region. Open in summer and accessible free of charge, this mini-museum proves that the history of Blainville and its surroundings are marked by characters and fascinating anecdotes.
“It’s a fairly unique concept that cannot be seen elsewhere,” says Martin Rodgers, recreation manager at the City of Blainville. Installed in a maritime container, the Micromusée is an installation that stands out from traditional museums. Designed with modernity and with respect for its environment, the Micromusée du Plan Bouchard knows how to attract the eyes of passers-by. “What’s interesting is that he’s installed where the people are. That is to say that there are a lot of people who leave their homes to take a walk and who happen to stumble on the path and decide to cross it at the same time, ”explains Mr. Rodgers, who is also known as a municipal historian. Having training and expertise in history, he also happens to be on site to lead the visit and answer questions from passers-by.
The Bouchard Plan dates back to the Second World War since in 1941, it was a factory that manufactured ammunition. “It’s really central in the history of Blainville and there are very few traces of that left. But in the forest, there are ruins of this factory, ”says Martin Rodgers. The location of the Micromusée is therefore not trivial since when you leave it, you find yourself at the entrance to the wooded area where there are trails that lead only to the ruins.
Even though it is an installation open from the long weekend in May until the long weekend in October, it is sometimes possible to discover the historical richness of the site within the framework of spontaneous activities that can take place at any time of the year. Martin Rodgers invites the curious to equip themselves with their snowshoes next January, during a visit to the unpublished ruins of Plan Bouchard. “The idea is to showcase our heritage, but by developing a program, we can also talk about history in the broader sense and continue to pique the curiosity of citizens,” he admits.
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