For over three centuries, Fort Saint-Jean hosted an almost continuous military occupation, making it one of the oldest military sites in Canada.
This site played a leading role in several conflicts that marked the geopolitical evolution of Canada during the French and British colonial periods. After the Canadian Confederation in 1867, the site became a training and educational site for several units of the Canadian Armed Forces, a function that continues today through the Royal Military College Saint-Jean.
Fort Saint-Jean is located at the head of the rapids of the Richelieu River which, with Lake Champlain, forms one of the main routes into the Laurentian Valley from the interior of the North American continent. The site is strategically and tactically located on a commercial and military route whose value has long been recognized by the continent’s first occupants. According to the most recent archaeological discoveries, Indigenous nations have frequented this territory for more than 5,000 years. The Fort Saint-Jean site became a national historic site in 1923 because of the military memory it carries, notably through the many architectural and archaeological evidence it contains.
The Museum has collections of artifacts of archaeological and historical provenance that illustrate the presence of past and present occupants of the Fort-Saint-Jean National Historic Site.
Several archaeological excavation campaigns have been held on the Fort Saint-Jean site. Whether on land or underwater, the Museum uses this discipline to revisit the past of the national historic site.
The presence of French, British, American and Canadian garrisons on the site makes it a favorite place to hold historical reenactments.
The Fort Saint-Jean Museum presents 350 years of military history on the site of the Royal Military College Saint-Jean, witness to the passage of Amerindian warriors, French and English troops, American revolutionaries, as well as several Canadian units. Located on the banks of the Richelieu River, approximately 40 kilometres southeast of Montreal, this site is declared a national historic site because of the four forts that were built there and its importance during the American invasion of 1775, when the fort withstood a 45-day siege led by General Montgomery.
Since the end of the British Regime, the site has hosted regiments such as The Royal Canadian Dragoons and the Royal 22e Régiment, the latter of which was founded in 1914. Since 1952, the site has been home to the Royal Military College Saint-Jean, where Canadian Armed Forces officers receive their university training.
The mission of this Canadian Armed Forces museum is to enhance the sense of belonging and esprit de corps within the Forces, while raising awareness among Canadians to better know, understand and appreciate their military heritage.
The Museum acquires, interprets and preserves artifacts that primarily reflect Canada’s military heritage for research and education purposes. We are also committed to preserving the heritage of the Fort Saint-Jean National Historic Site of Canada (NHS), thereby enabling present and future generations to learn about and preserve this heritage.