Thematic panel from of the exhibit "The Irish Presence in Rawdon, Yesterday and Today", held at the Centre d'interprétation multiethnique de Rawdon, Saturdays and Sundays between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. from March 2 to 30, 2025 (except on March 22).
1799: Rawdon Township is officially created by the colonial government of Lower Canada.
1820: Thirty Irish families, most of them Protestant, receive permission to settle in Rawdon, marking the beginning of the British colonization of the township.
1825: A first census shows 475 people living in Rawdon township, 75% of them born in Ireland.
1826: Located in Range 2, the multi-faith School at the Forks is the first educational institution to open its doors in Rawdon. It also serves as a church.
1834: At the request of Rawdon’s Irish Catholic citizens, the first chapel is built.
1836-1837: The Church of England and Ireland opens in Range 5.
1844: The census reports a total population of 2,607 in Rawdon, split between Protestants and Catholics.
1845: The Catholic parish is renamed “Paroisse Saint-Patrick,” in accordance with the wishes of the Irish inhabitants. It retains this name until 1956, when it becomes “Paroisse Marie-Reine-du-Monde et Saint Patrick.”
1863: The Catholic School Board is created.
1865-1866: Saint Anne Convent and Saint-Louis School are Rawdon’s first Catholic educational institutions. They are attended by Irish and French Canadians.
1911: Saint Anselm College, created by Irish Catholics, is inaugurated. It later becomes Collège Champagneur.
1950: Land is purchased by Earle and Nora Moore, beginning the adventure of Canadiana Village, of which many buildings recall the lives of 19th century pioneer families.
1978: The Saint Patrick’s Day parade and festivities are first held in Rawdon.
2025: The municipality of Rawdon has a population of 12,722 citizens with varied origins, religions and languages, including many descendants of Irish founding families.