Rimouski Catalogues Mid-Century Modern Buildings

The Société rimouskoise du patrimoine is conducting an inventory of downtown Rimouski buildings constructed between 1941 and 1965 ^[1].

This effort seeks to determine how much mid-20th-century modern architecture remains in the city center. The results will provide essential data to inform the city's new cultural-heritage policy, ensuring that modern architectural contributions are recognized alongside older historical sites ^[2].

Félix Ledoux is leading the project to catalogue these structures. The team is focusing specifically on the downtown core of Rimouski, Quebec, to identify which buildings from the mid-century era still stand and what condition they are in ^[1].

This inventory aligns with a broader strategic vision for the region. Rimouski has established a new cultural policy with a 10-year time horizon spanning from 2026 to 2036 ^[2]. By documenting the physical remnants of the 1941 to 1965 period ^[1], the city can better integrate modernism into its long-term preservation goals.

Mid-century modernism often faces higher risks of demolition than colonial or classical architecture because it is frequently perceived as dated rather than historic. The society's work aims to shift this perspective by formally documenting the architectural value of these structures ^[1].

While the current focus remains on the downtown urban fabric, the region continues to encounter diverse historical finds. For example, a separate discovery in Anse-au-Sable recently revealed a stone oven estimated to be at least 175 years old ^[3]. This contrast highlights the wide range of heritage the region seeks to protect, from early colonial utility to the sleek lines of the mid-20th century.