Collections

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Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins collections now include over 6,000 artifacts. The collections include property previously owned by Alphonse Desjardins, Dorimène Desjardins and their descendants, objects that depict the material culture of the founder's era and the history of Desjardins Group (photographs, rare books, works of art, oral and written archives) as well as an important numismatic1 collection.

Maison Alphonse-Desjardins

Structure
House that was the Desjardins family home for over a half a century and the first head office of Caisse populaire de Lévis. Maison Alphonse-Desjardins is today a "cultural property" classified as a "historical monument" and a recognized museum.

Circa 1883
Collection: Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins
Photo: Michel Julien

Book of poetry

Communication object
Bound notebook in which Anne-Marie Desjardins (1881-1929), eldest daughter of Alphonse and Dorimène Desjardins, wrote her poems. The notebook was given to her for her 16th birthday.

Circa 1897
Collection: Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins
Photo: Ghislain Desrosiers

Book of the constitution and by-laws of Caisse populaire de Lévis

Communication object
Bound notebook which served as the constitution and by-laws of Caisse populaire de Lévis. 132 founding members signed the document at the meeting of December 6, 1900, in which the caisse was founded.

1900
Collection: Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins
Photo: Ghislain Desrosiers

Postcard

Communication object
Photo of Dorimène Desjardins surrounded by 2 of her daughters and a granddaughter. Left to right: Albertine Desjardins (1891-1968), Anne-Marie Desjardins (1881-1929), Dorimène Desjardins (1858-1932) and Cécile Lamontagne (1908-1971).

1921
Collection: Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins
Photo: Ghislain Desrosiers

Epergne or centrepiece

Furnishings
Brass and painted glass centrepiece with a flower vase and fruit and nut platter.

19th c.
Collection: Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins
Photo: Ghislain Desrosiers

Cloverleaf cross pendant

Communication object
Silver with ceramic inlay ornament offered to Sister Saint-Arthur upon her ordination by her brother, Cyrille Vaillancourt, President of Fédération de Québec des unions régionales des caisses populaires Desjardins from 1932 to 1936.

20th c.
Collection: Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins
Photo: Ghislain Desrosiers

Manual calculator

Communication tools and equipment
Manual adder and subtractor manufactured in Rochester, New York.

1921
Collection: Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins
Photo: Ghislain Desrosiers

Blotters

Communication object
Paper used to absorb excess ink bearing the name Caisse populaire de Lévis and inscribed with the words "L'épargne conduit au bonheur" (Saving leads to happiness).

Circa 1929-1937
Collection: Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins
Photo: Ghislain Desrosiers

Thermometer

Communication object
Device used to measure temperature bearing the name Caisse populaire Ste-Marie de Manchester in New Hampshire, USA, founded by Alphonse Desjardins in 1908.

Circa 1930
Collection: Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins
Photo: Ghislain Desrosiers

Colouring book

Communication object
Colouring book entitled Le bienfaiteur. Son histoire. Used to tell the story of caisses populaires and their founder to children through illustrations to colour.

Circa 1960
Collection: Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins
Photo: Ghislain Desrosiers

Button

Communication object
Badge pinned to a garment with the inscription "Moi, j'aime ma caisse pop" (I like my caisse pop).

20th c.
Collection: Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins
Photo: Ghislain Desrosiers

Jigsaw puzzle

Communication object
Game in which the player has to reassemble a picture of Marie-Josée Taillefer with the inscription "Je dépose toujours mes économies à la caisse pop. Marie-Josée" (I always deposit my savings at caisse pop. Marie-Josée).

20th c.
Collection: Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins
Photo: Ghislain Desrosiers

Painting

Communication object
Oil on canvas by Jonas N. Tomesco of Dorimène Desjardins (1858-1932).

Circa 1950
Collection: Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins
Photo: Ghislain Desrosiers

Coins and bank bills

Communication object
Dominion of Canada $1 and 25¢ bills and various coins.

Various dates
Collection: Société historique Alphonse-Desjardins
Photo: Ghislain Desrosiers