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Commemorative plaques honour Concordia history

Plan underway to celebrate Concordia's institutional heritage with commemorative plaques
October 12, 2010
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Source: Concordia Journal

Hall Building under construction, circa 1965. | Photo courtesy Concordia Archives
Hall Building under construction, circa 1965. | Photo courtesy Concordia Archives

Commemorative plaques are being installed to celebrate Concordia’s institutional heritage.

“Many people are not aware of our rich history,” says Clarence Epstein, Director of Special Projects and Cultural Affairs in the Office of the President. “The idea is to raise awareness at street level of the connections between the people, the buildings and the collective traditions of Loyola College, Sir George Williams University, and Concordia.”

In the first phase of the Concordia University: Our History and Presence series, two plaques will be prominently featured on the Sir George Williams campus; one on the iconic Henry F. Hall Building (inaugurated in 1966), and one on the new John Molson School of Business Building to mark Concordia’s longstanding excellence in business education.

President Judith Woodsworth inaugurated the plaques Oct. 3 during a Homecoming tour of Quartier Concordia.
 

Hall Building today, a feature of Quartier Concordia. | Photo by Concordia University
Hall Building today, a feature of Quartier Concordia. | Photo by Concordia University

The project is a collaboration between Epstein and recently-retired Director of Archives Nancy Marrelli, who penned the texts. Archivist Emerita, Marrelli will remain involved in the project (see Journal, Sept. 13, 2010).

A third plaque will go up in 2011 on the Kenneth E. Norris Building on Drummond St., now the Downtown YMCA.

Sir George Williams College, formally established in 1926, grew out of evening educational programs offered by the YMCA as early as the 1850s. The Norris Building was home to Sir George Williams College when it was built in 1956, and served as a university building until Concordia left the site in 1992.

The third plaque unveiling ceremony will coincide with the 160th anniversary of the establishment of the YMCA in Montreal.

Epstein says careful attention is being paid to time future unveilings with significant milestones in Concordia history, “including Concordia’s 40th anniversary in 2014.” Other plaques will follow on both campuses, watch for announcement of these events on now.concordia.ca.

Related links:
- Henry F. Hall Building
- John Molson School of Business Building
- Concordia Archives
- Quartier Concordia
 



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