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This lithograph shows Québec City’s parliament in 1851, recognizable by its colonnades and dome. These parliament buildings were erected from the first assembly onwards to celebrate the return of the capital to Québec City. However, the city would alternate this status with Toronto for several years.  Approximately two years after this piece was completed, the building accidentally burned down.
1842 - 1860

Québec City, a city of power!

In 1841, Upper and Lower Canada were merged to form the Province of Canada. Québec City lost its position as capital to Montréal. In 1852, Québec City regained this status, alternating with Toronto for several years. A new parliament building was erected in Québec City for the occasion. However, it accidentally burned down in 1854. Another parliament building was inaugurated in Québec City in 1859 but, in 1883, it too burned down. By 1884, however, Québec City’s elected officials were sitting in a new parliamentary building. Come and discover these parliament buildings over the years!

Parliament buildings, Québec City

Sarony & Major (Napoléon Sarony and Henry B. Major), after Henry Cotton This lithograph shows Québec City’s parliament in 1851, recognizable by its colonnades and dome. These parliament buildings were erected from the first assembly onwards to celebrate the return of the capital to Québec City. However, the city would alternate this status with Toronto for several years. Approximately two years after this piece was completed, the building accidentally burned down.
Chronoscope Can you identify any other architectural elements? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Date: 1851