Rouyn Noranda, Quebec, Canada, 2023
The Dumulon General Store, built in 1924 on the edge of Osisko Lake, was once a celebrated trading post in the Rouyn-Noranda region. While the building was witness to some of the earliest activities of the area, had to be demolished in 1976 due to its age and disrepair. But in 1979, its status as an iconic symbol prompted an identical reconstruction, and in 1986, it was named a protected historical site.
In 2021, the Corporation de la Maison Dumulon, which manages the building, entrusted XYZ Technologies with a mission to renew the concept and production of the permanent exhibition onsite. The new presentation intended to showcase the adaptability, resilience and determination of the region’s inhabitants, characteristics that helped shape their history.
The XYZ team collaborated with artists from the Corporation to design and produce the exhibition La Ruée vers Rouyn which covers four distinct periods and explores the rich history of the region through the personal stories of four influential community members.
The biggest challenge of this mandate was the complete reorganization of the building’s interior. Two distinct spaces were created to meet the needs of the project: one museum area dedicated to replicating a general store from the era, and another separate boutique space that features regional products and creative pieces from local artists.
In the boutique, the team wanted to preserve a traditional log cabin atmosphere for the structure, all while presenting visitors with goods and products to round out their museum visit.
In the museum area, the goal was to capture and replicate the spirit of a general store from the early 20th century, including a dedicated postal service section. This approach lets visitors plunge into the daily lives of the Rouyn pioneers at a time when the general store and post office represented the essential nerve center of the township and community.
Integrating an immersive video project was another key component of the project, enhancing the visitor experience without infringing on the historical authenticity of the site. The video plays at regular intervals and gives visitors the freedom to explore the space at their own pace while guided by a catalogue that provides historical context for the exhibition artefacts.
Finally, visitors can navigate the evolution of trading posts, waterways and railways via integrated interactive cards on a large screen. This technology enables seamless content updates and ensures total flexibility to integrate new narrative features over time.
Audiovisual Design, Scenography, and Lighting Technical Direction Equipment Supply Programming
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