Touring the Morrin Centre in Québec

On our recent visit to Québec, we had the opportunity to explore several historical attractions and learn about many parts of Québec’s history. One of the most unique spots in the city (and actually, that we have ever toured) is the Morrin Centre, one time jail, one time university, and now part museum and part library.

The original building opened as a jail in 1812, the first common jail of Québec and the site of 16 public hangings. However, the jail was not considered a successful one as, over 60+ years, over 100 inmates escaped, and less than half were recaptured. 

The jail closed in 1867 and opened the following year as the Morrin College, funded by Dr. Joseph Morrin who donated all of his savings to the city of Québec for a university. The Morrin College was the city’s first English-language university and an annex of McGill University in Ottawa. Open until 1902, Morrin College offered both Bachelor of Arts and Divinity Studies degrees, which were conferred from McGill University. The college graduated 46 Bachelor of Arts degrees, seven of which were female graduates, and 27 divinity degrees, all males who became priests. 

The building sat empty for over a century until 2004 when it was restored and opened as a museum.  However, the Victorian Library, which is housed in an adjacent building, has been open since 1868 under the supervision of the Literary and Historical Society of Québec,  the oldest learned society in Canada. The library includes a collection of thousands of texts, some dating back to the 16th century. 

Travel Tips:

Highlights of the Tour of the Morrin Centre:

1. Look up in the main admission area, the space that was once where prisoners prepared for public hanging. The picture frame above the front door covers what was once a balcony where the hangings took place.
2. Walk down the narrow hallway (narrow so that the guards could block inmates from escaping) to the jail, used to house up to 15 inmates in one room and check out the graffiti on various walls and floors. The area includes areas to house inmates, a spot to secure inmates awaiting hanging, and even a toilet area.  Later, the room was used for coal delivery when the building housed Morrin College, as indicated by the “X” by the window to show where the coal should be delivered. 
3. Peek across the street to the building (now apartments) that once housed female inmates. There was a hospital on the ground floor, and female inmates had to complete chores. 
4. Walk through the upper level of the chapel, now used for receptions and private events. During the prison’s time, there were both Protestant and Catholic services on the lower level, and wealthier debtors were housed in individual cells on the upper level. During the college’s years, the space was used for functions and parties.
5. Head back to chemistry class in the chemistry lab. The original soapstone tables and slate blackboards are still in pristine condition. The room showcases an early edition of the periodic table of elements, a degree from McGill University from one of the first female graduates, a 1687 German Bible, and original microscope from Bausch and Lomb. There’s even a darkroom for photography. 
6. Peek down into the library from the upper level. The library’s collection includes 29,000 books and 8,000 e-books. Tour guests are welcome to linger in either level of the library to explore the collections. 

Looking for other adventures in Québec? Check out our posts featuring the Musée de la Civilisation, Le Monastère Des Augustines, La Citadelle de Québec, the Assemblée Nationale du Québec, the Plains of Abraham Museum, and the Auberge Saint Antoine hotel. And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Disclosure: Our family was given a media pass to the Morrin Centre; all opinions expressed are my own.