A Legacy of Action

For over two decades, the Pointe-Claire Heritage Preservation Society has been a dedicated and active force for heritage in our community. Through the tireless work of our volunteers—contributing over 25,000 hours to historical research alone—and the generous support of our members, we have built a powerful legacy of preservation, education, and advocacy.

The Windmill Restoration Campaign

Drawing by Marie Villeneuve, based on the molinological study by Claude Arsenault

Our current and most ambitious undertaking is the restoration of the Pointe-Claire Windmill. Building on decades of foundational research, the Society has achieved several key milestones:

• Secured a 50-year lease on the historic structure (February 2025).
• Launched a $2 million restoration campaign to create a fully functioning historical mill and public Interpretation Center.
• Raised over $350,000 in grassroots community support to date.

Preservation & Advocacy

 Hôtel Charlebois (aka Pointe-Claire Hotel), circa 1910 (postcard)
(Source: Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec)

The Society has been a leading voice for the protection of Pointe-Claire’s built heritage, successfully advocating for numerous sites and policies. Highlights include:

• Led a major public and legal battle (2018) to save the historic Pointe-Claire Hotel (The Pioneer), mobilizing the community with a nearly 4,000-signature petition and ultimately challenging the demolition order in court.
• Safeguarding Heritage Houses: Directly involved in the successful preservation of the Maison Brisebois-Brunet, Maison Angell, and the house at 8 Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
• Advocating for “la pointe claire”: Successfully campaigned for the establishment of the “la pointe claire” heritage site in 2013.
• Commissioning Expert Studies: Sensitized municipal authorities to the need for professional inventories, archaeological excavations, and historical studies to inform urban planning.
• Publishing Briefs: Produced over ten detailed briefs and reports for public consultations on urban planning and cultural heritage.

Education & Public Engagement

We believe that heritage is a story that must be shared. The Society is committed to bringing the history of Pointe-Claire to life.

• Organized over 340 heritage tours for more than 3,400 visitors.
• Hosted over 30 public conferences featuring historians, architects, and other experts.
• Published a celebrated series of historical brochures on key landmarks.
• Produced annual heritage calendars from 2010 to 2026.
• Created a pedagogical tool for Grade 5 students on 300 years of architecture in Pointe-Claire.
• Collaborated on public art projects like the Épicerie du Village mural.

Scientific Research on Windmills

The Society is a recognized center of expertise on the history and technology of New France-era windmills.

• Conducted over 10,000 hours of scientific research on windmills to date.
• Led a 10-week research mission to France in 2006, visiting 70 working mills and interviewing numerous specialists.
• Acquired and restored authentic 18th-century millstones from La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, France for the Pointe-Claire mill.
• Founded the Association des Moulins du Québec in 2007.

Help Us Continue This Vital Work

Our record of accomplishment is a testament to the power of a dedicated community. Every membership and every donation allows us to build on this legacy.