Preserving and promoting awareness in the history and heritage of the Gatineau Valley since 1962
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Brian Doyle Film Premiere
Sunday, February 8, 2026, at the Centre Wakefield La Pêche
Doors open at 2:30 p.m., with the screening beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Refreshments will be served.
As part of the initiative In Their Words: Stories from the Gatineau Valley, developed in partnership with Fairbairn House & award-winning documentary filmmaker Conor Devries, we are pleased to share the date for the premiere of GVHS Board Member Tina Therrien’s documentary on author Brian Doyle.
This screenings will continue with a series of short documentaries created through workshops offered to community members, highlighting seniors from across the Gatineau Valley.
See more information 
on the series.
Please RSVP for this event by emailing info@fairbairn.ca
Sadly, Brian passed away on January 1, 2026. See obituary .
Brian's contributions to the Up The Gatineau!
In tribute to GVHS member Brian Doyle who passed away in his beloved Gatineau Valley on January 1 at the age of 90, we are pleased to make available Brian’s last contribution to the Up the Gatineau! “An Outhouse for Lottie” In all, Brian wrote six pieces for the Up the Gatineau!, (see Author Index for Volumes 1-51) and in 2022 he received a GVHS Award of Honour “in recognition of his creative contributions as an author, poet, researcher and educator, in making known the history and heritage of the Gatineau Valley through his storytelling. Mostly centred in the community of Low, Quebec in the 1940s and 50s, Brian explores universal themes of coming-of-age and entertains local and national readers of all generations.”
Brian will be greatly missed by all his friends in the Gatineau Valley Historical Society.
In Memoriam
Long time GVHS member Cathy Pawley passed away on January 4. Here is a link to her obituary .
Looking for people with a passion for local heritage and history to join our board.
The mission of the volunteer-based GVHS is to promote matters of historical and heritage significance in the Gatineau Valley, lands of the Algonquin Anishinabe by: preserving, publishing, and making accessible the documentary and oral heritage which reflect the perspectives and experiences of all cultures, and communities of the Gatineau Valley; and assist the wider local heritage community through collaboration and partnerships.
We publish the annual Up the Gatineau! historical journal; operate a library and archives located at the Chelsea Library; have an extensive collection on our website; and organize regular speaker talks, exhibitions, walks and other events.
Members of the Board of Directors provide leadership and direction in the realization of the GVHS’s mandate and strategic plan. The Board of Directors meets monthly from September to May, and Directors are expected to serve on at least one committee (archives, website, communications, program, publications) and serve the organization in other capacities
What you can contribute:
- Interest in local history of the Gatineau Valley
- Heritage research and advocacy
- Strong teamwork skills
- Planning and event organization
- Experience on a not-for-profit board, charity or other organization
- Experience in website development and other online communications tools
- Financial management
- Diversity of gender, age, ethnicity, and experience
- Bilingualism an asset
Start date: late March 2026 for an initial term of 2 years.
The GVHS Nominating Committee is accepting applications until Feb 28, 2026. Interested individuals may inquire about the position and express their interest with a brief written statement at info@gvhs.ca.
Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 A Virtual Meeting
More information closer to the date.
Pat Evans Archives
Chelsea Library downstairs
By appointment
Contact info@gvhs.ca.
New on website
An Outhouse for Lottie
by Brian Doyle. Article published in Up the Gatineau! Volume 51.
Saint Camille de Farrelton 
10 MB
par par Bruno Godbout c.s.sp., 2000. Les 150 ans de la parossse Saint-Camille de Farrelton la Pêche.
In Memory of Chelsea’s Historic Cemeteries
By Carol Martin, 2005. Stories of the Old Chelsea Protestant Burial Ground, Chelsea Pioneer Cemetery, St. Stephen's Cemetery, and Chelsea's Homestead Plots.
New Publications
The Story of an Irish Pioneer Family, Low, Quebec, 1850-1925
Up the Gatineau! Volume 51
