Discovery Guide - Abitibi-Témiscamingue

" Until the end of the 1950s, range schools were part of daily life for young people in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. The one on Authier's Range II welcomed students from September 1937 to June 1958. As an elementary grade pupil in 1952, I considered school a symbol of knowledge; we had as much respect for the building as we did for the teacher…or perhaps I should say, the schoolmistress. School was a window onto the world: each letter of the alphabet contained a marvellous story; each map, a fabulous journey.

Of course, there was discipline: order, piety and obedience. The days were very full: catechism, arithmetic, dictation, history and geography. All was done under God's watchful eye. In fact, the priest paid a visit once a month to ensure that this was the case. The school inspector also visited us twice a year.

I will always keep wonderful memories of my years at the École du Rang II. These schools were part of an entire generation's collective memory. That is one reason why the École du Rang II in Authier was designated as an historic monument by the Québec government in 1981. "

Diane Beauchesne
Pupil at the École du Rang II from 1952 to 1958

Tours:
Guided tour: 45 minutes
Participation-type theatre: with reservation for group 15 to 40 pers. (duration 1h30)

Schedule: June 24 thru Labor day, daily from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
The rest of the year, by reservation only
Reservation : 3 days proir to your visit

Guided tour rates:
5 years old and under: Free
From 6 to 11 years old: $4
12 years old and over: $5
Theatre rates:
5 years old and under: Free
From 6 to 11 years old: $2
12 years old and over: $7