Open House at the Gatineau Preservation Campus
Library and Archives Canada’s Preservation Campus in Gatineau, Quebec, will open its doors to the public
on May 24 and 25, 2024, from 10 am to 3 pm.
Visitors from the public of all ages will have the rare opportunity to wander through the laboratories and vaults, to discover works by Canadian artists and to learn how our professionals work every day to preserve history. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at how we preserve your documentary heritage!
New: For the first time, public access to the new building!
We’re opening the doors to the new Preservation Storage Facility to the public for the very first time! This unique building opened in 2022 and is the world’s largest automated archive facility, the first net-zero carbon archive facility in North America, and is LEED Gold certified. It has already won several awards for its architecture and ingenious design.
You can also wander through the renowned Preservation Centre. Opened in 1997, this architectural gem features vaults to protect historical documents from all types of dangers and laboratories, and it is where our professionals digitize documents and carry out restoration treatments.
Featured activities
- Presentation of documents from the collections: Marvel at historical documents preserved in our vaults, including a copy of the Proclamation of the Constitution Act, 1982. Specialists will be on site to present these treasures and to answer your questions.
- Kiosks and laboratories: Learn more about Canada’s documentary heritage, and the work of our archivists and reference and genealogy specialists. Discover our various laboratories that feature photos, videos, maps and manuscripts, books and digital files. Watch our robot retrieve an order of archival documents—a state-of-the-art experience!
- A look back at the construction of the Preservation Storage Facility: Chat with professionals from Library and Archives Canada and representatives of the consortium behind the construction of this one-of-a-kind building.
- Activities for children: Children can have fun colouring unique drawings, as well as the windows of the Preservation Centre. It’s a great way to capture little ones’ imaginations!
Event details
- Date
- Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25, 2024
- Time
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Event admission
- Free admission; no registration required
- Event location
- Library and Archives Canada Preservation Campus
- Event address
- 625 Du Carrefour Boulevard, Gatineau, Quebec
(intersection of Montée Paiement)
Transportation and parking
The Société de transport de Outaouais’ Station de la Cité (Rapibus) is just a few steps from the Preservation Campus and has several parking spaces.
For details: Transportation and parking in the La Cité area (French only)
Accessibility
If you have a condition or specific needs that require special arrangements, or if you have any questions, please contact us at marketing@bac-lac.gc.ca.
Practical tips
- Drinks and food are prohibited, as are ballpoint pens. Pencils are permitted.
- Coats and large bags (including handbags) must be left in the cloakroom.
- Cameras are allowed, but flash must be turned off if documents are on display.
- The tour involves walking and standing, so wear comfortable shoes.