PODCAST | From Downton Abbey to the Reford Gardens
Butlers, chambermaids, footmen: the large teams of domestic staff who served the aristocracy of Britain’s Edwardian age are widely known. Perhaps less well known, however, is the fact that this lifestyle straight out of “Downton Abbey” existed in Quebec as well, among certain wealthy families of English Montreal early in the twentieth century. Listen to this immersive experience, produced by the Reford Gardens, and find yourself in the Estevan Lodge during a busy summer!
The team from the Gardens are working with artists, curators, researchers and organizations to offer a range of exhibitions linked to the history of the gardens, the different owners of the estate, regional history, horticulture and the environment.
Ephemeral is a self-reportage on my daily life. Through a selection of images taken over a four-month documentation period, I sought to capture what a typical day in my life looks like. During the shooting, I adopted an intuitive approach, letting the unexpected guide my lens. To preserve the authenticity of each scene, I turned off the shutter sound and let myself be carried by the movement and energy of the place. Sunlight plays an essential role in my work, serving as a common thread in the visual narrative. Ephemeral embodies the fragility and temporality of each moment. Through this project, I wish to invite the viewer into an immersive experience. Each photograph then becomes a step in a visual journey where time passes little by little, revealing the ephemeral beauty of each moment.
Artist Bio
My name is Sasha, and I am a photographer originally from Lanaudière, a region where I grew up before deciding to move 500 km away from home to fully dedicate myself to this passion. It was at Cégep that I discovered my interest in photography, an art that allowed me to transform my perspective and deepen my knowledge over three years. It was there that I realized the camera would be the means of expression that would enable me to capture the world as I perceive it.
Since that moment, my camera has accompanied me daily, guiding my creative exploration and quest for beauty. My focus naturally turned to portrait and fashion photography, but my practice is not limited to that. Whether I am photographing a model or turning to reportage photography, I seek above all to capture what makes human beauty in all its spheres.
Inner Storm is a photographic series created from elements of nature and my environment that evoke a state of anxiety. Through abstraction, I sought to represent the discomfort of various symptoms such as dizziness, tremors, and blurred vision. The constellation-like arrangement refers to this storm where everything shatters and bursts in all directions around me during an anxiety attack. Through this project, I hope to raise awareness about this reality that is part of my daily life and that of many others and thus attempt to break the taboos surrounding it.
My name is Kelly-Ann Gosselin, and I am 20 years old. I am graduating in photography from Cégep de Matane. I come from a small village in the Etchemins region, in Chaudière-Appalaches. Nature has always been a part of my daily life. My goal with photography is for it to be communicative and to evoke emotions when viewed. It is over the past year that I have developed abstraction in my projects.
Go back in time to explore the history of salmon fishing along the mythical Metis River in Quebec’s Bas-Saint-Laurent region. The rivers, and the salmon that return to spawn in them, have fascinated people since time immemorial. Discover how the Metis River participated in the region’s development and how it went from being a wild oasis to a private one, only to become the protected salmon river it is today.
Elsie In Her Own Words is a virtual exhibit that gives online visitors an opportunity to hear Elsie Reford, the gardens’ creator, read some of the writings that will help you better understand her. In it, we hear Elsie retell personal experiences that were drawn from the writings she left behind discussing everything from her horticultural experiences to summers in Métis and her social, political, and philanthropic involvement during her time spent in Montreal throughout the rest of the year. The exhibit was created by Montreal’s Umanium firm with research by historian Karine Hébert. It was developed with the help of the Société des musées québécois and Quebec’s Ministère de la Culture et des Communications “Programme d’aide en numérique” program.
Internationally recognized for its breathtaking landscapes and coastal route forming an 885 km loop, the Trip Around the Gaspé circuit is now over 90 years old. Through period pictures, stories, and newspaper excerpts, discover the epic story behind the tourist circuit that has long been recognized as a great destination.
This exhibit takes visitors through the life and times of Elsie Reford.
Best known for her gardens, Elise also had many other interests ranging from politics, to women’s health art, and international affairs. Her involvement in politics and public debates led her to cross paths with many of the era’s leading figures. For the first time, new facets of this remarkable woman will be revealed through a collection of pictures, objects and stories.
This exhibit is presented on the 2nd floor of the historic Estevan Lodge.
The Museum of Tools holds an impressive collection of garden tools acquired by the Reford Gardens in 2013.
Just like gardening techniques, gardening tools have evolved tremendously over the centuries. Tools once handmade and designed to last a lifetime are now manufactured en masse in factories. Garden tools are often considered collectors’ items and many gardeners form attachments to their tools as though they’re old friends. It is rare to see so many under one roof, and rarer still to see them on display for all gardeners to enjoy! Shears, trowels, wheelbarrows, spades… the list goes on. Come see what you can discover!
photo: Jardins de Métis
Robert W. Reford was one of Canada’s first amateur photographers. He acquired his Kodak No. 1 in 1888, as soon as this first Kodak hit the market. This would be the beginning of his lifetime passion for photography.
In 1926, when Elsie adds a second storey to Estevan Lodge, she sets up a dark room for her husband. Located in the couple’s private quarters, few ever had the chance to visit this room. This multimedia exhibit grants you the privilege of assisting Robert at work in his darkroom. This exhibit is complementary to the Elsie through the eyes of… permanent exhibit, which has been presented in the Estevan Lodge since 2018. It lifts the veil on the intimate gaze Robert’s posed on his wife through his camera lens.
Presented on the second floor of Estevan Lodge.
photo: Umanium