Author: Pierre Fortin (0466)
Photo 1: Courtesy of Mme Sonia Collard, Media Relations Advisor,
communications department, City of Drummondville
Photos 2-3: Courtesy of Mme Diane Autotte, Booking manager,
Village Québécois d’antan
Source: Fortinfo, # 29 – avril 2016, pages 1 et 24
Last update: Mars 1, 2016
Email: info@afafortin.com
Drummondville - 2016
Drummondville, our Host City in 2016
Drummondville was founded in June, 1815, by lieutenant-colonel Frederick George Heriot and a group of military officers made redundant after having participated in the war of 1812 against the Americans. The Ghent Treaty, once ratified by the President of the United States, ended that conflict. However, the Lower Canada British administrators, fearing new attempts from our neighbors south of the border, mandated the lieutenant-colonel and his brothers in arms to set a military and agricultural base on the shores of the St-François River, some 75 miles from the U.S. border. The settlement was named Drummondville, in honor of Sir Gordon Drummond, Canada’s Administrator for the period between the nomination of the 6th and 7th British Governor.
Despite a prosperous agricultural countryside, Drummondville seemed more inclined to concentrate on its natural resources, banking on its vast forests and the arrival of many foundries. In the early years of the 20th century, however, given the availability of hydroelectric power, our 2016 Reunion’s host city took a definite industrial direction, particularly invested in the textile industry. This industrialization brought forward an appreciable demographic growth, tripling the Drummondville population in the 3rd decade alone.
Like everywhere else, that period was followed by the ups and downs of The Great Depression, the military efforts of World War II, followed by various market fluctuations. But nothing had more negative impact than the recent closing of giants the likes of Dominion Textile (1998), Celanese (2000), and other lesser firms, so much so that Drummondville seemed to sink in a state of funk. Its citizens had the impression that their city had merely become the Trans-Canada Highway exit travellers took to fill up their gas tanks and move on.
Nevertheless, that feeling of depression didn’t last too long. Drummondville residents, renowned for their vitality and drive, soon revived their city’s industrial mindset, while preserving their historical beginnings, as proven with the restoration of their “Yesteryear Village”. And by the way, all this, without the benefit of huge sums of governmental emergency funds.
And that’s where this year’s Association des Fortin d’Amérique’s reunion will be held. More specifically, next Sunday, July 10, at Drummondville’s “Yesteryear Village”, roughly 100 miles from Quebec City… 75 miles from Montreal… 80 miles or less from the U.S. border… In a city proudly calling itself Quebec’s Traditions and Development Capital. Better still, as our Host city will be celebrating its Cultural World festivities during that period, why not make it a weekend affair? Can’t wait to see you there!