The Fort Saint-Jean Museum in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu hosted an exciting weekend
August 15th to 17 th to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American invasion of
Canada, orchestrated by Irishman Richard Montgomery. Visitors to the fort were able to
fully immerse themselves in history through historical recreations of battle scenes, camp
life, and the daily struggles faced by eighteenth-century Quebecers. Katherine Diamond
(CIMPN Project Manager / Grant Coordinator / Researcher) attended the activities with
utmost interest as her current graduate studies focus on Montgomery.

Though Montgomery was an Irishman by birth, his dedication to the Patriot cause in the
United States of America led to achieve the rank of Major General. However, his
inability to seize Fort Saint-Jean in a timely manner in the summer of 1775 sealed his
fate and ultimately made history. His attempt to capture the city of Québec was delayed
until December 1775, and in this battle, he perished, and Québec maintained its
freedom. Fort Saint-Jean, though not often discussed, is an extremely important
historical site in colonial Canadian history and Irish history alike.