The Great Fire of 1876

The Great Fire of 1876

In 2026, the Musée du Haut-Richelieu, housed in the former Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu fire station, will present a commemorative exhibition for the 150th anniversary of the Great Fire of 1876, exploring both the event itself and the evolution of the fire protection service.

Presented in conjunction with the commemorative events marking the 150th anniversary of the Great Fire of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, this exhibition first offers a historical overview of the devastating day of 1876. Originating in the stacks of lumber at Louis Bousquet’s mill, the flames destroyed a large portion of the city of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. The city, however, refused to be defeated. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Saint-Jean built its first fire station and acquired a Silsby pump—the precursor to the modern fire truck. This 1876 pump, designated as a heritage object, is still preserved at the Musée du Haut-Richelieu. The second part of the exhibition focuses on the evolution of the firefighting profession. Visitors will discover the sequence of a 911 emergency call, from its reception to the firefighters’ arrival on site. Being a firefighter has always represented far more than a profession: both in the past and today, firefighters are essential figures within the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu community