Morrin Centre, Cultural center in Old Quebec, Canada
The Morrin Centre is a four-story stone building in La Cité-Limoilou featuring Palladian architecture with balanced proportions and symmetrical elements throughout its design. Inside, it houses a library with historical documents, a museum space, and rooms dedicated to cultural programs and exhibitions.
The building was constructed in 1808 as Quebec City's first prison and operated as a detention facility for decades. In 1868, it was repurposed as an educational institution, eventually becoming the cultural center it is today.
The library inside maintains an English-language collection that reflects the intellectual life of the region's anglophone community. Visitors can see how books and documents were organized and valued during the Victorian era.
The center sits in the heart of Old Quebec's street grid and is most easily reached by walking through the historic district. Plan for an afternoon visit, as guided tours are regularly available to help you understand the building and its collections.
The basement contains preserved sections of the original prison cells that visitors can walk through and examine. These spaces provide a firsthand sense of confinement and daily conditions from the early 1800s.
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