Press Release

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Unveiling of permanent exhibit at the Université de Moncton: L’aboiteau : un ouvrage d’ingénierie pour construire l’Acadie

A permanent exhibit entitled L’aboiteau : un ouvrage d’ingénierie pour construire l’Acadie (“The aboiteau: a work of engineering for building Acadie”) was unveiled today during the second Rendez-vous event organized by L’alUMni, the Université de Moncton’s alumni association.

The oldest aboiteau slab preserved in Acadie is part of the exhibit located on the first floor of the engineering faculty. Discovered in Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia, and dating from 1689, the item is of great importance to the world of Acadian engineering. Based on estimates, the item dates back to the early beginnings of the village of Grand-Pré founded in 1682. The artifact is on long-term loan from the Nova Scotia Museum.

“It is a privilege for us to welcome this artifact to the Université de Moncton,” said Raymond Théberge, President and Vice-Chancellor. “We are proud to offer the opportunity to faculty of engineering students to examine this piece of Acadian history which will certainly inspire them to pursue their careers in this fascinating area. I also invite citizens to come see this piece of history.”

“We welcome this project with great pride,” said Gilles C. Roy, dean of the engineering faculty. “It serves as a vivid historic example of engineering in Acadie. Some people say that the aboiteaux could represent the most ancient works of engineering in Canada. The recognition of the Acadian aboiteaux as a Canadian Society for Civil Engineering national historic site is due in large part to the tireless work of several Acadian engineers, especially Gilles Hébert, a retired professor from the faculty of engineering.”

“As an Acadian city, it’s important for us in the City of Dieppe to preserve our heritage,” said Mayor Yvon Lapierre. “We also undertook a project this fall to promote local aboiteaux, including an observation site along the Trans Canada Trail near the area of Pointe-aux-Renards Street. By contributing to this aboiteau exhibit at the Université de Moncton, we are further strengthening our desire to promote the history of Acadians and the cultural importance of their legacy.”

This project was made possible thanks to a partnership with the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, the Nova Scotia Museum, engineering faculty dean Gilles C. Roy, civil engineering department director Gérard Poitras, retired professor Gilles Hébert, and Bernard LeBlanc, conservator at the Université de Moncton’s Musée acadien.

The City of Dieppe has also contributed to this project thanks to a generous donation to the Université de Moncton through the Evolution Fundraising Campaign, which has already raised $25 million – or 50% of its goal. To date the scholarships and financial aid program has received nearly half the donations with $12,315,000. Another important area for donations is in the area of research – where $11,365,570 has been raised for the university’s major projects; while $700,500 has been raised for the hub of excellence in Acadian studies and $500,000 has been raised through the campaign for the New Brunswick Centre for Precision Medicine. As well, $118,930 has been raised for the modernization of facilities.

To donate to the Université de Moncton or for more information on making a donation, please contact the philanthropic development office at (506) 858-4130 or 1-888-362-1144, by email at developpement@umoncton.ca or visit the website at www.umoncton.ca/dons/en/home.



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