{"id":1213,"date":"2025-02-26T13:07:17","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T18:07:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/espacenapaga.com\/?page_id=1213"},"modified":"2026-02-11T15:32:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T20:32:37","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/espacenapaga.com\/en\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"
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About Us <\/span><\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
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La Corporation du Bourg de Pabos: over 40 years of history<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The management, protection, and development of the Pabos archaeological site were entrusted in 1981 to a non-profit organization born of a citizens\u2019 movement: the Corporation du Bourg de Pabos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the wake of the adoption of the government regulation officially classifying the \u201carchaeological and historical site of the Pabos commercial fishing complex\u201d in July 1975, a number of stakeholders put forward concrete proposals for a proper excavation and to set up a temporary museum. To convince the government, they went so far as to offer free premises, skilled labour, and specialized equipment. But it was to no avail.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Citizen anger mounted as a number of actions compromised the integrity of the heritage site, whose archaeological potential had long been known to local residents.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

In 1978, for example, the Ministry of the Environment decided to bury the carcass of a whale that had washed up on the beach in the middle of the site, giving free rein to the trucks and cranes needed for the task, in clear violation of the Cultural Property Act by which the site had been classified a few years earlier.<\/p>\n

Finally, in 1981, the Corporation du Bourg de Pabos was founded. From 1981 to 1987, the Corporation oversaw archaeological excavations and the production of a historical document. This pivotal phase was masterfully led by renowned archaeologist Pierre Nadon, whose work at Forges-Saint-Maurice had been exemplary. In 1988, the Corporation presented a development project to the two levels of government \u2013 the interpretive centre and the very first permanent exhibit. Accepted in 1990 as part of a federal\u2013provincial agreement, the project required a substantial investment from the community to receive authorization to proceed.<\/p>\n

Galvanized, residents quickly launched a historic fundraising campaign, and the goals were met in 1992. The interpretive centre was built the following year and opened its doors in 1994, operating under the name \u201cParc du Bourg de Pabos\u201d. The originality of the building and its perfect integration into an exceptional environment earned it two architectural awards. Mindful of these criteria, the Corporation also launched a major architectural competition to find partners who shared its vision.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

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Galvanized, residents quickly launched a historic fundraising campaign, and the goals were met in 1992.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The interpretive centre was built the following year and opened its doors in 1994, operating under the name \u201cParc du Bourg de Pabos\u201d. The originality of the building and its perfect integration into an exceptional environment earned it two architectural awards. Mindful of these criteria, the Corporation also launched a major architectural competition to find partners who shared its vision.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Growing by putting down deeper roots<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t

Over the past 30 years, the site has undergone major changes, with each step forward driven by the mission to preserve and enhance the archaeological site and its heritage.<\/p>\n

The campground got off to a timid start in 1995, offering 12 campsites. It then grew slowly, focusing on integration with the archaeological site, until it earned Camping Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s prestigious 4-star rating. This recognition, combined with new recreational facilities, has made it possible for the site to reach new heights in terms of number of visitors. With an excellent reputation for the privacy and cleanliness of its facilities, NAPAGA Campground now boasts over 215 highly coveted campsites.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

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In 2011, the Corporation partially renovated the permanent exhibit, increasing its interactivity. A few years later, a second permanent exhibit was added, dedicated to the King Brothers sawmill, thanks to which the Gasp\u00e9 timber industry boomed in the 1890s. Over the years, several temporary exhibits and innovative immersive interpretive activities have also been added to the museum\u2019s programming to showcase the living heritage and make it accessible, through ruins, building remains, and some 16,000 artifacts unearthed during archaeological digs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2012, together with the city of Chandler, the Corporation embarked on a major tourism project: the \u201cCircuit des B\u00e2tisseurs\u201d. In less than a year, a 145.70-metre aluminium footbridge was built. It connects Chandler and Pabos Mills by crossing the mouth of Pabos Bay and Baie des Chaleurs, and links the archaeological site\u2019s network of cycling and pedestrian paths to that of the Circuit des B\u00e2tisseurs. This aluminum footbridge, the longest in the world, is making Chandler world-famous!<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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A renewed identity: Espace NAPAGA<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t

In 2025, to reflect this progress and its vision, the Corporation du Bourg de Pabos is overhauling its services, strengthening its governance, and adopting a new brand identity: Espace NAPAGA<\/strong> \u2013 nature and archaeology at Pabos Mills on the Gasp\u00e9 Peninsula.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

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What Defines Us<\/h2>\n\n\n
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