Guided Tour “ Discovering Bellevue Cemetery the burial place of Aylmer's English-speaking pioneers ”
As part of Les Journées du patrimoine religieux and celebrations of the 175th anniversary of the incorporation of Aylmer and its first mayor, John Egan, the Aylmer Heritage Association is collaborating with Christ Church, Aylmer and the Regional Association of West Quebecers to invite you to join us:
Guided Tour “ Discovering Bellevue Cemetery the burial place of Aylmer's English-speaking pioneers ”
Date: Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 10 a.m. in English and 2 p.m. in French
Guide: Michel Prévost, D.U., President of the Société d'histoire de l'Outaouais
Departure: at the entrance to the cemetery, 1030 Aylmer Road, Gatineau
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes **in case of rain the tour is cancelled**
The Bellevue Protestant Cemetery, created in 1822, is, along with the St. James Cemetery, the oldest European cemetery in Gatineau. It is the burial place of the founder of Aylmer and his family, Charles Symmes, the English-speaking pioneers of the area and several mayors of Aylmer. It is also the burial place of prominent 19th-century figures such as the only wood baroness in the Outaouais, Mary McConnell, and one of the most controversial figures of his time, Peter Aylen, the "King of the Shiners. Come and learn about the history of the cemetery, cited heritage in 2021, its beautiful burial monuments in a bucolic setting and its connection to Christ Church Parish in Aylmer."
