Restore a Landmark…
Secure a Legacy
A New Chapter of Stewardship
After years of deterioration from time and weather, the windmill is now in critical need of intervention. Without a complete restoration, we risk losing this irreplaceable piece of our shared history forever.
Recognizing this urgency, the Pointe-Claire Heritage Preservation Society (PCHPS) has stepped forward to secure its future. On February 26, 2025, the Society signed a 50-year lease, taking on the responsibility and the privilege of leading its complete and authentic restoration.
A Rich History
Built in 1709, the Pointe-Claire Windmill is an irreplaceable piece of our shared national history. As one of only 10 windmills remaining from the New France era, it stands as a rare and powerful testament to the origins of Quebec and the foundational story of Canada.
For centuries, it served as the economic and defensive heart of the community. It was proudly adopted as the official emblem of Pointe-Claire in 1911 and was classified as a historic property by Quebec in 1983. After more than 300 years of service, its story is far from over.
The Pointe-Claire Windmill, 13 March 1867
(Source: Committee for Construction and Sacret Art, Archdiocese of Montreal)
Drawing by Marie Villeneuve, based on the molinological study by Claude Arsenault
Our Vision: A Living History Center
Our vision extends far beyond simple repairs. We will transform the windmill into a fully functioning historical mill and dynamic living history Interpretation Center. It will become a vibrant educational destination where visitors can see and experience the 18th-century mechanics in action, bringing its 300-year history of resilience and ingenuity to life.
Join the Campaign: Help Write the Next Chapter
This landmark undertaking has a total projected cost of
A Foundational Success: The Arrival of the Millstones (2009)
In a major early victory for the project, the PCHPS secured funding to import these authentic, 18th-century style millstones from France. This success, which included the quant (le gros fer), the stone spindle (le petit fer) and the thrust bearing (la crapaudine), laid the essential groundwork for the full and faithful restoration we are undertaking today.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity to make a Landmark Gift
Your support for the Pointe-Claire Windmill restoration qualifies you for a powerful provincial incentive: Quebec’s “additional tax credit for a large cultural donation.”
* The “Additional Tax Credit for a Large Cultural Donation” applies to qualifying one-time gifts between $5,000 and $25,000.
** The final after-tax cost of your donation will depend on your personal financial situation. Please consult with your financial advisor.