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Immerse yourself in the world of these adventurers of the 17th to the 19th century who spread terror on the American seas. On the loading dock, enrol and get on board a ship’s reconstruction to explore the various aspects of life at sea. Weigh anchor in the company of the famous pirate Jack Rackham. Discover the living conditions of the crew, the rules they had to follow on board, the navigation techniques, the ships’ evolution, the risks of the trade, the plundering, the laws and punishments, and more. Put your senses to the test and cast off for this fascinating interactive exhibition.
- Pirates, privateers and freebooters
- My Park, My Plains Short Film
Opening hours, conditions and fees
Pirate: a gangster roaming the seas to plunder commercial ships. An outlaw, Jack Rackham, known as Calico Jack, is an 18th century pirate owing his nickname to his highly colourful clothes made of calico, a coarse material. His reputation is mainly due to his having among his crew two famous women pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read.
Privateer: a civilian who attacks enemy ships with the authorization of his government, but only in times of war. Pierre Lemoyne d’Iberville was a privateer.
Freebooter (or Frère de la côte): an adventurer who, in the 16th-17th centuries, scoured the seas and ravaged Spanish possessions in America. The unofficial aspect of the operations led by freebooters is at the root of their ambiguous status, halfway between pirate and privateer.
The Bassin-à-corsaire boat: summary reproduction of a sloop (an anglophone distortion of the French chaloupe) or sloop-of-war, frequently used by pirates. These boats, smaller than frigates, measured from 15 to 23 metres (50 to 75 feet) and were fitted with 10 to 18 guns, all on the same deck. The Bassin-à-corsaire measures 20 metres (66 feet).
Looters, thieves and other scoundrels, Brown Basin will be your refuge for the summer. Captain Jack Rackham and his sea adventurers cast anchor at the foot of the Plains of Abraham. Arrgh!* These friendly pirates have agreed to let inquisitive visitors climb aboard their remarkable vessel, but first they have to get tattooed to ward off misfortune. Ship’s boys and girls of all ages are expected from July 1st to September 5, 2011, to put their senses to the test in this fascinating animated exhibition worth its value in gold. Up and at’ em!
A hit with the crowds at the Pointe-à-Callière Montréal Archaeological and Historical Museum, the exhibition Pirates, privateers and freebooters is in Québec City at the initiative of the National Battlefields Commission, which has added interaction and animation. For a fourth year, the Commission is in charge of the animation and interpretation of this bequest from the Canadian Government, inaugurated in 2008 for the city’s 400th anniversary.
A popular yet little-known subject, the history of piracy, sea racing and freebooters is part of our history since these sea adventurers travelled the cold waters of the St. Lawrence River and of the North Atlantic. Brown Basin is the perfect landing spot for these buccaneers who spread terror from the 17th to the 19th century on American seas. The volunteer sailors will breathe in the sea breeze and plunge into the world of piracy as they learn about the living conditions of sailors and the rules they had to follow on board, the boats’ development, the navigation techniques, the risks of the trade, the laws and punishments and the distinguishing traits of pirates, privateers and freebooters. Jack Rackham also invites the young recruits visiting the exhibition to wear their finest pirate costumes.
On the wharf, a famous pirate will give you a taste of the sea. You will get to climb on the Bassin-à-corsaire, learn about the food these rascals ate, breathe in the familiar smells on board, run across a poor prisoner, have a look at surgical instruments, learn about women pirates, assess the speed of a ship, ring the bell with the quartermaster, load a gun on deck, spot the enemy with a telescope, test your knowledge on the bounties, etc. Did you know that superstitious pirates wore a gold earring?
This exceptional site bordering the St. Lawrence River will welcome trainee pirates under the magnificent gangway overhanging the river. But piracy is not the only thing they will discover. Inside the building, visitors will also become imbued with New France thanks to the 175 reproductions of historical objects created by 200 secondary school students. Student Masterworks is an exhibition filled with authenticity, with furniture, clothing, pottery, games and other everyday period objects. The result of a collaboration between the Commission scolaire de la Beauce-Etchemin and the National Battlefields Commission, the exhibition received the Museums and Schools Partnership Award, 2009 edition, from the Canadian Museums Association.
Other activities complete the visit. The interactive miniatures and the My Park, My Plains short film hightlights the rich historical past and the many particular attractions to be seen. Between River and Cliff deals with the development of Brown Basin throughout the years.
Produced in collaboration with the Commission scolaire de la Beauce-Etchemin
Museums and Schools Partnership Award, 2009 edition, from the Canadian Museums Association
Nearly 175 reproductions of New France historical objects dating from 1608 to 1759 are on display. These brilliant works meticulously created by 200 award-winning students were selected among the remarkable productions of some 800 secondary level students from five different schools. This year, a collection of historical creations made by 5th grade students as been added to the exhibit.
This stimulating pedagogical activity has been in place for the past 10 years in a number of schools of the Commission scolaire de la Beauce-Etchemin, on the initiative of teachers Christian and Jean-Pierre Lagueux.
Several objectives are connected with this activity: develop the students’ interest in the New France era and make them aware of how complex it was for our forebears to handcraft everyday objects with their limited means; explain the logic behind the objects used by our ancestors, their usefulness and relevance, the materials used, the symbolism, colours and legends surrounding them; give students a taste for history through a constructive activity; allow them to share their new knowledge and achievements with their peers and the public; let them experience a new integrating project that is both amusing and motivating.
Each student makes the most of his or her individual skills: sculpture, pottery, ceramics, drawing, painting, calligraphy, garment making, sewing, etc. The reproduction must be as accurate a representation of the object as possible, while avoiding anachronisms and using materials similar to those available at the time. An explanatory text produced by the students will help present the objects and inform the public during the exhibition. The schools are invited to join this initiative. A way of putting history at their fingertips that students are sure to enjoy!
This National Film Board short film sheds light on the many attractions known and appreciated by the public, while underlining the defining historical moments of the past 400 years. Also see a series of interesting interactive miniatures which depict the park's past.
"To mark the 100th anniversary of the National Battlefields Commission, My Park, My Plains provides a lively,humorous, and
moving account ofdefining historical moments and various uses of the Plains of
Abraham over the years. Through an interplay of archival images and original
footage, the film recounts the battles fought there, reminds us that people once
golfed, went horseback riding, and applauded Buffalo Bill there, and lets us
roam through this site where skiers, Sunday strollers, and families on toboggans
harmoniously mingle with hundreds of thousands of people who come each year to
attend grand celebrations and festivals. The Plains of Abraham have always been
a choice meeting place for Quebec City's visitors and locals, and today more
than ever, this historic urban park is a prime location for remembering,
relaxing, and dreaming." (ONF website)
2008 - 15 minutes
Direction and script: Carole Laganière
Photography direction: Philippe Lavalette
Sound: Richard Lavoie
Editing: France Pilon
Original music: Christian Clermont
Narration: Kathleen Fee
Producer: Anne-Marie Rocher
Executive producer: Jacques Turgeon
Follow the evolution of Brown Basin throughout the years:
Anse-des-Mères (17th and 18th centuries)
The St. Lawrence River and Cap Diamant are key environmental elements in understanding the development of the Brown Basin sector. By their very presence, these elements helped shape the development and use of the site.
The Golden Age of Shipyards (19th century)
After Québec and its economy passed into British hands, the English undertook to develop commercial activities in the Lower Town, and so they acquired several strategic sites near the water. It is worth noting that, at the same time, international political developments created favourable conditions for business.
Cap-Blanc and Brown Basin (20th century to today)
Subsequently, the traditional maritime activities that characterized Québec were declining. In 1847, England abolished the preferential tariffs to help support the timber trade in the St. Lawrence Valley and Québec. The number of sailing ships carrying squared timbers fell yearly from a thousand in 1860 to half that number a decade later, and continued to drop at a dizzying rate as the end of the century approached.
On July 24, pirates and young lads spent the day celebrating together. Exotic animals, firing demonstrations, joly pirates, music, entertainment and much more could be seen. In addition to the free outdoor activities, admission was half-price for a visit to the interpretation centre and its exhibitions, including Pirates, privateers and freebooters. Here are a few snapshots of the day.
Press release
Download the summary
July 1 to September 5, 2011
Everyday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
$10/18-64 years old
$8/13-17 years old or 65 and older
$4/6-12 years old
$25/family of maximum 2 adults and 2 children (6-17 years old)
free for children 5 and under
(accompanied by an adult)
At Brown Basin:
615 E Champlain Blvd (at the foot of the Cap Blanc stairs), Québec City.
View how to get to Brown Basin
How to get there:
(Desjardins Shuttle)
Collaboration:
