Canada has a rich entrepreneurial history. Unfortunately, it is very little known. To continue innovating and evolving, the innovators of today need to understand the past and the people who helped shape it. Proud of their multigenerational entrepreneurial involvement, the de Gaspé Beaubien family has decided to throw itself into the highlighting and popularization of this entrepreneurial history through a virtual experience: the de Gaspé Beaubien Museum.
Visit the de Gaspé Beaubien Museum!
What is the de Gaspé Beaubien Museum?
The de Gaspé Beaubien Museum is entirely virtual and free. It is a digital experience accessible to everyone that presents 400 years of history with the help of the autobiographical stories of 10 bold and determined men and women.
Everything is accessible online at degaspebeaubienmuseum.com. There you will find photographs of unique historical artefacts; cards, portraits, photographs, artwork, novels, patents of nobility granted by King Louis XIV… all of these photos help to make the stories being told tangible and immerse us in these important people’s daily lives.
Knowing Where We Come From
Understanding our roots is an essential part of navigating in the present and creating our future. Our ancestors are invisible architects who hold the plans of our past. For Philippe II de Gaspé Beaubien, it was a question of identity.
“After the death of my mother and the resulting solitude of my father, I began to question my place in the world. The stories of my forebears brought me a sense of self and I wanted the same for my offspring. I wanted to expand the historical research which led me to hire an historian to continue the research.” explains the patriarch of the de Gaspé Beaubien family.
A Long-Term Project
In the early 70s, Philippe II de Gaspé Beaubien hired the historian Helene-Andree Bizier to start the research and bring to light the story of his ancestors. The Museum’s texts are inspired by the historian’s work, Les 6 Clans de la Maison de Gaspé Beaubien. At the same time, he hired Dr. Schwarts “le chercheur de trésor” to find family artifacts which have become treasured items for the Museum.
As you will see in the Museum: “From Charles Aubert de La Chesnaye, the first millionaire in North America, to Philippe de Gaspé Beaubien, mayor of Expo 67 and creator of a media empire, the history of the de Gaspé Beaubien family shows that the roots of entrepreneurship in Quebec go back a long way.”
Learning for Everyone
At the start, all of this genealogical and historical research was a personal project for Philippe. He planned to share his discoveries with his children and save family artifacts for future generations, but nothing more.
However, the more the family members found out, the more they encouraged Philippe II to make the uncovered stories public. The opinion of the children and grandchildren was unanimous: these stories and discoveries had to be shared.
“These stories are so interesting. If they can be useful to us, they could also be useful to others. We can be proud of our heritage, so why not share it?” – Philippe III de Gaspé Beaubien
Philippe II explains: ”I personally have been greatly inspired by my ancestors throughout my entrepreneurial career. In my moments of great doubt or even failure, they showed me the way to continue persevering… If their stories can inspire or encourage even one more person, it will be worth it.”
Develop your Entrepreneurial Spirit with the de Gaspé Beaubien Museum
With their numerous entrepreneurial experiences (Expo 67, Telemedia, Participaction…), over 30 years of involvement and innovation with the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation, and now the launch of the de Gaspé Beaubien Museum, Philippe II and Nan-b believe more than ever in the strength of the family and the opportunity to learn from their ancestors. “According to us, all of these stories and our own experience demonstrate the strength of the family and family values. For us, the family and the enterprise make one. We are stronger together. We go further. Vade Ultra.”
The de Gaspé Beaubien Museum is the perfect occasion for people, both young and old, to learn more about Quebec and Canada’s entrepreneurial history. Explore the de Gaspé Beaubien Museum now to increase your knowledge and inspire your entrepreneurial spirit.