Fire

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On May 18, 1765, a major fire broke out at the General Hospital, throwing Marguerite d’Youville, the Grey Nuns and their residents out on the street. Archives document the extensive damage to the building. Despite this, the stone walls and some of the wooden beams withstood the fire. The ravages of the fire can still be seen on the ceiling beams of the Maison de Mère d’Youville.

Source: Marguerite d’Youville and the fire on mai 18, 1765, by Sister Marie-du-Rédempteur, s.g.m, 1929. Oil on canvas, 236 cm H x 175 cm W. Grey Nuns of Montreal’s collection, 1974.A.106
Source: Declaration by the Superior Administrator of the Montreal General Hospital of material losses caused by the fire of May 18, June 5, 1765. Grey Nuns of Montreal’s Archives, General Administration’s Fonds (Montreal), ASGM, G02, A, 12, MM. 233
Source: Statement of charitable donations to the General Hospital, May 20, 1765. Grey Nuns of Montreal’s Archives, General Administration’s Fonds (Montreal), ASGM, G02, A, 13, MM.239