Ravenscrag, Montreal

Before 1861 : land purchase and conception

The land on which Ravenscrag is built was previously part of the estate of Simon McTavish, a wealthy fur trader, which once stretched from the top of the mountain in the north to Saint Catherine Street in the south, and from the property of James McGill in the east to beyond Drummond Street in the west. In 1803, Simon McTavish decided to build a "chateau" on his estate, intended to honour his wife, Marie-Marguerite Chaboillez.^{[g 1]} However, in 1804, he died during construction and construction stopped.^{[g 1]} The half-completed house was then left abandoned until its demolition in 1860.^[1] In the meantime, the McTavish estate underwent several subdivisions by land investors such as John Torrance, Hugh Taylor and John Hutchison.^{[r 1]} Some of these lots were sold on November 23, 1853 at an auction organised by auctioneer John Leeming. On this occasion, Hugh Allan purchased from David Torrance for the sum of £2,250 a 10 acres (40,000 m²) lot of land located on the south-east slope of Mount Royal, above McTavish house and bordering the McTavish burial site to the east.^{[2][n 1]} However, there is no information to determine Hugh Allan's intention regarding the use he intended for this lot of land when he purchased it. He was himself a land investor: during his life, he purchased several lots of land in the St. Antoine ward in Montreal on which he had houses or apartment buildings built for rental.^{[3][AN-821 1]} However, the construction of buildings intended for rental (row houses or apartment buildings) was at this time rather rare in the northeast of Sherbrooke Street, between McGill University and Guy Street. Due to their privileged location on the mountain, these lands tended to be used as estates on which residences were built in the style of an English country house, following the British trend in architecture for wealthy families.^{[c 1]} For example, were built in that area during the 1860s the houses of John Redpath, named "Terrace Bank" (1861), Orrin S. Wood, known as "Braehead" (1861), Andrew Allan, known as "Iononteh" (1865), and David Lewis (1868).^{[m 1]}

• 
  Terrace Bank (1861), John Redpath residence
• 
  Braehead (1861), Orrin Squire Wood's residence
• 
  Iononteh (1865), Andrew Allan's residence
• 
  David Lewis House (1868)

On 13 October 1860, Hugh Allan and his wife, Matilda Caroline Smith, had their fourth child and third son, Hugh Montagu Allan. It was at this time that Hugh Allan decided to build a new residence that reflected his wealth and power.^{[f 1]} He decided to build a new home on his land located on the southeast slope of Mount Royal, away from the noise, bustle and prying eyes of the city, thus benefiting from more space, comfort and privacy.^{[c 1]} The chosen location of the estate also had the advantage of being neither too close to the city nor too far away, allowing him to access it quickly.^{[c 1]}

Around 1860, he hired the architectural firm William Spier & Son to design and build his future mansion.^{[AN-7081 1]} Victor Roy, an architect from that firm, was responsible for drawing up the plans.^[4] He designed the house as a villa or as an English country house in the Italianate style.^{[c 1][c 2][f 2]} He followed the architectural trend of the time, which was inspired by the British royal summer residence of Osborne House, built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on the Isle of Wight. Several houses in England, in the British colonies and in North America, built up until the 1870s, were modeled upon this royal residence.^{[c 3][b.1 1]} Even in Montreal, several mansions were built in the Italianate style during the 1850s and 1860s, including the Harrison Stephens house (1857), the Joseph Mackay house (1858) and the David R. Wood house (1859). However, there is no information indicating why this style was chosen for Ravenscrag, or whether it was a preference of the architect or the client. On the other hand, the construction of Henry Lyman's residence on McTavish Street in 1859 according to the plans of the architect Richard C. Windeyer may have played a determining role in the choice of the architectural style of Ravenscrag. Indeed, this "villa" has the same architectural style as Ravenscrag.^[5] However, this house was demolished in 1941 to make way for a 24-unit appartement building.^[6]

• 
  Hillfield House (1862), designed by architect John Giles
• 
  R. P. Dodge Residence (1864) designed by architectural firm Downing & Vaux from New York
• 
  Hubbell House (1868) designed by architectural firm Kuler & Hubbell (Toledo, Ohio)
• 
  House design (1869) for an Italianate villa by architect L. B. Young (Cincinnati, Ohio)
• 
  Logan House, called "Rockfield" (1850s), Montreal, Quebec
• 
  Henry Lyman's residence, called "Thornhill" (1859), Montreal, Quebec
• 
  Victoria Mansion (1860), Portland, Maine
• 
  Isaac Butters House (1866), Stanstead, Quebec

1861 to 1863 : construction

On May 27, 1861, work officially began.^{[AN-7929 1][AN-7932 1]} David Wilson and John MacFarlane of Wilson & Co. were responsible for the masonry, while Wand & Jackson was responsible for the bricklaying.^{[AN-7929 1][AN-7932 1]} John MacFarlane also installed the hot water heating system and the gas lighting system.^[8] George Roberts' company carried out all the carpentry, joinery, cabinetmaking, varnishing, painting, gilding and glazing.^{[AN-8136 1]} The bricklaying work continued until November 1861,^{[AN-7932 1]} while the masonry work extended until June 1862.^{[AN-7929 1]} Finally, the work carried out by George Roberts' company extended until October 1862.^{[AN-8136 1]} This work was then supervised by the architectural firm of William Spier & Son.^{[AN-7929 1][AN-7932 1][AN-8136 1]} However, during 1862, the architectural firm of Fowler & Roy, where the architect Victor Roy was now working, took over the contract for superintendence of the work site from the firm of William Spier & Son, dissolved towards the end of 1861.^[23]

In an article published on February 24, 1862 in the Montreal Herald and Daily Commercial Gazette, the author reported on the progress of the work. He mentioned in particular that the tower was still under construction and that "a conservatory is to be erected at the south-west end of the building." In addition, a water tank was built above the residence, in the mountain, at a sufficient height to supply the building with water up to the third floor.^[24]

Towards the end of 1862, Hugh Allan hired the Italian painter Giuseppe Guidicini to decorate his new residence.^{[9][o 1]} For a month or two, between October 1862 and April 1863, the artist painted the decorations, particularly for the drawing room and the billiard room (converted into a library around 1865).^{[9][o 1][10]} During this same period, the firm of J. & W. Hilton furnished the library, and most likely the other reception rooms in the house.^{[b 2]} Hugh Allan also commissioned “a work” in marble around September 1862 from the Montreal sculptors Jules Souquère and Gervais Buffle (Souquère, Buffle & Co.),^{[25][a 1]} probably the Carrara marble fireplace mantel in the drawing room.^[10]

After 1862, changes were made to the architectural plans of the residence. Hugh Allan commissioned the architectural firm of Fowler & Roy, successors to William Spier & Son, to add reception rooms to the main building. Victor Roy then designed a ballroom and two antechambers, all located between the main building and the greenhouse. The greenhouse, which had already been planned in the original plans, was then moved or offset further south of the main building.^{[AN-7929 1][AN-8136 1]} Although these new rooms were designed by the architectural firm of Fowler & Roy, construction of these rooms would instead be under superintendence of the architectural firm of Hopkins & Wily around 1865.^[11]

Since the original architectural plans, elevations and drawings for the construction of Ravenscrag are missing, little information exists on the construction of the boundary wall and some of the outbuildings (gate house and stables). The known building contracts, written in 1861, give no details on the construction of these buildings. These contracts only mention the construction of a "mansion" on Hugh Allan's land, and the specifications in the appendix only add details, among other things, on the "wing" dedicated to the servants or the greenhouse (conservatory).^{[AN-7929 1][AN-7932 1][AN-8136 1]} However, by 1863, the construction of the outbuildings (gate house and stables) was completed and the estate was entirely enclosed by a boundary wall. Indeed, a photograph taken by William Notman in 1863 already bears witness to the existence of the gate house and the surrounding wall.^{[image 3]} In addition, a work published by the Canada Railway Advertising Company in 1864 specifies that it was the Montreal Foundry and City Works that made the wrought iron grilles for the gates of the estate, confirming that the construction of the surrounding wall predates 1864.^{[b 1]} As for the stable, Hugh Montagu Allan had the year of initial construction of the building engraved directly above the main door during the modifications carried out in 1898. The construction of the surrounding wall, the gate house and the stable was therefore completely completed when the Allan family moved to Ravenscrag.

In April 1863, Hugh Allan and his family moved into their new residence. Hugh Allan, however, kept his previous residence located at 411 Saint Catherine Street (between City Councillors and St. Alexander Streets) until his death for rental purposes. In fact, in May 1863, he rented it to his brother, Andrew Allan, for a period of three years.^{[AN-10281 1]} This house would later be purchased by Methodists who would build the St. James Church there, nicknamed the “Cathedral of Methodism,” which would become the St. James United Church in the 1920s.^[26] As for the servants, the City of Montreal's property assessment roll report mentions that Hugh Allan had been collecting rent from his servants who lived on the Ravenscrag estate since 1863.^{[n 2][n 3][n 4]} The servants therefore moved in at the same time as the Allan family. The Lovell Directory even specifies in 1865 that the gardener and caretaker of Ravenscrag, Joseph Gordon, resides at the address preceding the address of Hugh Allan on McTavish Street, confirming that he lives in the gate house.^{[a 2]}

1863 to 1882 : Hugh Allan

Bust of Sir Hugh Allan

Matilda Caroline Smith, said Lady Allan

In April 1863, when Hugh Allan and his family moved into Ravenscrag, the ballroom, its antechambers and the conservatory had still not been built. There is no precise information on when work began on these rooms. However, an order placed by Hugh Allan around 1863 to the company J. & W. Hilton to furnish the library suggests that construction of the new reception rooms was already underway or about to begin.^{[b 2]} Firstly, this order confirms the intention to change the purpose of the billiard room, which had just been completed, to a library. Indeed, the custom-made bookcases installed on either side of the fireplace were not originally intended for the room. In the known construction contracts from 1861, there is no mention of a library.^[27] However, there is mention of the creation of a billiard room located to the north of the drawing room.^{[AN-8136 1]} Moreover, when Giuseppe Guidicini painted this room, he did not foresee the future addition of bookcases that would hide almost an entire wall. In this regard, in 1993, when the sculpted bookcases were being dismantled in order to present them at a museum exhibition, the workers rediscovered the artist's painted panels at the back.^{[j 1][28]} Furthermore, this change of purpose so soon after the construction of the residence shows that there were already plans to move the billiard room to one of the future antechambers to the ballroom. Moreover, an article published on December 7, 1872 in the Canadian Illustrated News confirms this move.^[11] This new billiard room is directly accessible "by a door located on the west side [of the drawing room]".^[10] Finally, note that the inventory of Hugh Allan's estate carried out on January 10, 1883 confirms the existence of a billiard room between the ballroom and the drawing room.^{[AN-17456 1][AN-17456 2]}

In 1865, construction of the reception rooms attached to the main building appears to be underway. In fact, the City of Montreal's property assessment roll report doubled the value of the Ravenscrag estate in 1865 to $200,000 before making a correction and returning it to the initial value of $100,000,^{[n 4]} suggesting that construction of the reception rooms is underway.^[29][30] It should also be noted that at this time, Hugh Allan's brother, Andrew Allan, was himself having a home built nearby (named "Iononteh"), between McTavish and Peel streets, below Ravenscrag, and that the same architectural firm Hopkins & Wily is superintending both construction sites.^[31][11] In any case, construction of these reception rooms was certainly completed in 1868, as illustrated in an engraving from the period.^{[b.0 1]} For these reception rooms, Hugh Allan appears to have used the same contractors employed for the construction of the main building and outbuildings. Indeed, the original building contracts mention the construction of a conservatory which the contractors undertook to build "in accordance with the said general specifications and plans, and to the perfect satisfaction of the said William Spier & Son, and the said Hugh Allan", and on which payment of the contract was dependent.^{[AN-7929 1][AN-7932 1][AN-8136 1]} As these reception rooms are situated between the conservatory and the main building, it's therefore highly likely that the same contractors built these rooms, in complete continuity. Furthermore, the similarity in the details of the carved decoration between these adjoining rooms and the main house tends to confirm the use of the same team of sculptors by George Roberts. A notable example is the similarity of the mascarons on the doorways of the ballroom to the mascarons on the pillars of the main staircase, which in both cases stick out their tongues as a teasing gesture or to scare away evil spirits.

• 
  Detail of a mascaron on the baluster of the first floor of the main staircase (1862)
• 
  Detail of one of the overdoors of the ballroom (1865)

On 23 May 1867, Hugh Allan's eldest daughter, Matilda Isobel Allan, married Dr Gibbon of the 25th K.O.B. with the Rev. Dr Matthieson presiding at St. Andrew's Church on Beaver Hall. It is reported that "the wedding party was large and brilliant, and the church was filled with spectators from all quarters."^[32] The newspaper does not mention, however, whether this was the occasion on which Hugh Allan inaugurated his brand new ballroom.

In November 1869, Hugh Allan organized a party at Ravenscrag in honor of Prince Arthur of the United Kingdom, future Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1874) and Governor General of Canada from 1911 to 1916. More than 300 guests were present and it was noted that "such a display of rich clothes has never been seen in Montreal".^{[33][g 2][34][35]}

In July 1871, Queen Victoria granted Hugh Allan a Knighthood of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland of the Order of St Michael and St George, as Hugh Allan of Ravenscrag.^[36] He was presented to Her Majesty by the Earl of Kimberley in 1873.^[37] At this time, Hugh Allan commissioned a marble portrait bust from the company of the marble mason Robert Forsyth, which has been on display at Ravenscrag since 1873, after a brief exhibition in the window of Dawson's store.^[38]

Between September and November 1872, in preparation for the visit to Montreal of the Earl of Dufferin, 3rd Governor General of Canada, Hugh Allan decided to redecorate the apartment intended for distinguished guests and to enrich the decoration and furniture of the reception rooms, particularly the ballroom.^[39][40] The companies that decorated and furnished the ballroom for this occasion are not known. However, it is possible that Hugh Allan hired the same companies or contractors that had built the Merchants' Bank building in 1867, on the corner of Notre-Dame and Place d'Armes, founded by Hugh Allan among others. Indeed, several of the contractors hired for its construction were those who had also worked on Ravenscrag, including the architectural firm Hopkins & Wily, the masonry contractor Daniel Wilson, the bricklaying contractor Alex Wand, and the cabinetmaker company J. & W. Hilton for the furniture.^[41]

Following this logic, the painted works in the ballroom are possibly a creation of John McArthur's painting company, known as McArthur & Son. In addition to having created the painted works in the Merchants' Bank building in 1867,^[41] John McArthur also created similar works to those in the ballroom in the past. Indeed, in 1860, he created "circular medallions filled with gold" on the wall panels of the Prince's box in the concert hall,^[42] reminiscent of the medallions illustrating profile portraits on a gold background on the ballroom ceiling. Again, in 1866, he painted the ceiling of a store, on the corner of Grand St. James Street and Victoria Square, in a "light blue, enhanced with gilding",^[43] similar to the decorations painted on the ceiling of the ballroom.

As for the furniture, the company responsible is also unknown. However, it is highly likely that Hugh Allan ordered his furniture from the cabinetmakers J. & W. Hilton of Montreal. In addition to having produced the furniture for the Merchants' Bank building in 1867,^[41] Hugh Allan had already placed at least two orders with this company in the past, namely the complete furnishing of the library in 1863,^{[b 2]} then a complete bedroom set in 1867.^[44] Thus, the windows' gilt cornices and its curtains, designed by Robert Williams,^[45] would have come from this company, as well as the armchairs, sofas or large mirrors installed in the niches.^[39][46]

On November 21, 1872, three hundred guests attended the ball organized by Hugh Allan in honor of the Earl of Dufferin.^{[g 2][47]} The sumptuousness of this event was probably not unrelated to Hugh Allan's interest in the construction of a transcontinental railway line.

Between 1868 and 1872, Hugh Allan had three dormer windows added to the roof of the front facade of the main building to better light the bedrooms on the 3rd floor, intended for his children.^{[b.0 1][47]}

On 9 December 1882, Hugh Allan died suddenly at the age of 72 while on a business trip to Scotland. He was found with his head resting on a hand covering a half-written letter. His body was then repatriated and brought back to Ravenscrag. His coffin was on display in the library.^{[k 1]}

On December 27, 1882, the funeral began at Ravenscrag and continued at St. Andrew's Church on Beaver Hall. All flags in the city of Montreal were lowered to half-mast and many businesses closed that day to pay their last respects to Hugh Allan. The mayor of Montreal at the time, Jean-Louis Beaudry, and all of his city councillors participated in the funeral march.^[48]

1882 to 1940 : Hugh Montagu Allan

On Sir Hugh Allan's death in 1882, his son, Hugh Montagu Allan, became heir to Ravenscrag in accordance with his will which stated: "...and it is my desire that my executors shall convey to my son, Hugh Montagu Allan, the house and ground of Ravenscrag and all the furniture".^{[ENR-107815 1]}

As soon as 1885, Montagu continued the family's tradition of hospitality. On January 23, 1885, he gave a ball that the press called "the social event of the season." The 240 guests came from Montreal high society, but also from Quebec city, New York City and Boston.^[49]

On April 21, 1887, in preparation for the construction of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Montagu was invited by the special committee of the City Council set up for the project to seek his opinion on the construction of a hospital building on the edge of his property. Without formally objecting, he stated that "the idea was not a very nice one to have a hospital next to a private house. [...] If a more suitable site could be chosen, I should doubtless prefer it."^[50]

On February 25, 1888, Mabel Allan, daughter of Hugh Allan, married Colin Campbell of Mont-Saint-Hilaire at St. Andrew's Church on Beaver Hall, with Reverend Edgar Hill officiating. After the ceremony, the wedding party and their guests proceeded to Ravenscrag where a ball was held^[51].

In 1889, Montagu commissioned architects Andrew Thomas Taylor and George William Gordon to extend the east wing (servants' quarters). An entire third floor was added to this wing.^{[52][f 3][e 1]}

On October 19, 1889, Montagu hosted members of the Montreal Hunt Club for a luncheon at Ravenscrag.^[53]

On September 11, 1890, Isabella Mackenzie, daughter of William Mackenzie and great-granddaughter of Andrew Allan, married Alexander Paterson at St. Paul's Church on Dorchester Boulevard. After the ceremony, the wedding party and their guests proceeded to Ravenscrag for a reception.^[54] Also, on August 19, 1891, Margaret Allan, the fifth daughter of Sir Hugh Allan, married Dr. Charles McEachran, a veterinary surgeon, at Ravenscrag, officiated by the Reverend Edgar Hill.^[55] Then, on September 21, 1892, Edith Allan, also a daughter of Sir Hugh Allan, married J. T. Routledge of Pincher Creek at St. Andrew's Church on Beaver Hall, followed by a reception at Ravenscrag.^[56]

On January 16, 1893, Arthur Allan, Montagu's brother and the youngest son of Sir Hugh Allan, died of asphyxiation in a fire that broke out in the building where he resided on Dorchester Boulevard. His body was then returned to Ravenscrag where it was examined by the coroner. His funeral was held in the drawing room on January 18, 1893, presided over by the Reverend Edgar Hill.^[57][58]

On July 10, 1893, Hugh Montagu Allan and Marguerite Ethel Mackenzie announced their engagement.^[59] They were married on October 19 at Christ Church in Montreal, officiated by Reverend Pastor Dr. Morton, assisted by the Very Reverend Dean Norman of Quebec City.^{[g 3]} The wedding was hailed as "the most splendid social event to have taken place in Montreal in many years."^[60][61]

On July 18, 1894, Ravenscrag was targeted by burglars who stole $300 worth of jewelry, according to the estate's caretaker, Mr. Dunbar.^[62]

On August 5, 1894, Martha Allan, the couple's first child, was born in Ravenscrag.^[63]

On the night of December 31, 1894, to January 1, 1895, the Allan couple held their traditional New Year's Eve ball. The orchestra was conducted by Mr. Gruen, and more than twenty waltzes were played throughout the evening and night. All of Montreal's high society was in attendance.^[64]

On February 5, 1895, Marguerite Mackenzie-Allan gave a dinner in honor of Elizabeth Bridget Nagle, Baroness of Shaughnessy.^[65]

An article in the Montreal Daily Herald on January 18, 1896, reported the alarm raised by some superintendents of the City's drinking water supply facilities about the poor condition of the masonry of the McTavish Reservoir and the Ravenscrag Reservoir, which was causing leaks that could damage the buildings next to them, including Ravenscrag and the McGill University buildings.^[66]

On October 26, 1896, Hugh II Allan, the couple's second child and first son, was born in Ravenscrag.^[67]

In 1898, Montagu asked architects Andrew Thomas Taylor and George William Gordon to enlarge the stable to accommodate Thoroughbred horses.^{[h 1]} He also asked his architects to make several modifications to the residence. On the one hand, on the outside, the portico was closed and joined to the vestibule,^{[f 3]} the dining room was enlarged by about 3 metres (about ten feet)^{[f 4]} and, because of a privileged view of the city and the St. Lawrence River, many balconies and terraces were created on the front façade, notably on the roof of the dining room and the old portico. Finally, the dormers on either side of the tower were lowered to pierce the cornice, as in the William Dow house.^{[f 5]} On this occasion, the Wighton & Morison Co. is responsible for the masonry.^[12] On the other hand, inside, the old school room is joined to the entrance hall and converted into a small living room. Four columns identical to the two pre-existing columns are added to the entrance hall.^[68][69] The walls of the vestibule, the entrance hall and the dining room are covered with tapestries. On this occasion, the company of the decorator Walter P. Scott is responsible for all the painting, gilding, installation of tapestries and cabinetry/carpentry work.^[15] Hubertus McGuire, an employee of this company, is particularly responsible for supervising and carrying out the cabinetry/carpentry work.^[13][14] Although these works were planned in 1898, it seems that they were carried out rather in 1899: the architect Andrew T. Taylor, who was responsible for supervising the Ravenscrag site, was also responsible for supervising the construction site of Montrose at Cacouna, the new summer residence of Hugh Montagu Allan, which he visited in August 1899.^[70]

On Saturday, March 30, 1901, under the auspices of Mrs. Allan, a bazaar was organized in Ravenscrag to benefit the Foundling and Babies Hospital.^[71] Later, in May 1901, Mr. and Mrs. Bryce Allan of Boston stayed in Ravenscrag for the Montreal Horse Show.^[72]

On May 21, 1902, the Allans organized a garden party to benefit the Foundling and Sick Baby Hospital. Several activities were offered: Chinese lanterns, live music and dancing, tea tasting, a ping-pong tournament, farm animals, pony rides for children, a weighing machine, and an auction of works by artists such as W. Hope and W. Brymner, alcoholic beverages (Scotch), golf equipment, Shetland lace shawls, and even candy. Several prominent Montreal families, including the Molson family, lent their support to the event.^[73]

During the summer of 1902, Montagu Allan had the conservatory of the residence rebuilt and enlarged by the company Lord & Burnham Co. of Toronto.^{[16][image 1][image 2]}

On May 13, 1904, Governor General Albert Grey visited Montreal for the Horse Show. He dined at the Allan's home in Ravenscrag during his visit.^[74]

In May 1906, the Allan family welcomed Prince Arthur of Connaught to Ravenscrag. A ball was held in his honour on May 8, 1906 at the residence.^[75]

In 1907, Sir Hugh Montagu Allan received Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu, brother of the emperor of Japan, at Ravenscrag and was in charge of his entertainment during his visit to Montreal. This visit earned him his investiture in the Order of the Rising Sun.^{[g 2]}

In September 1908, the Sheffield Choir took up residence at Ravenscrag during their visit to Montreal, at the invitation of the Allans.^[76]

In January 1913, Ravenscrag became the temporary residence of the Duke of Connaught, his daughter, Princess Patricia, and their entourage due to the Duchess of Connaught's hospitalization at the Royal Victoria Hospital. The royal standard flew atop Ravenscrag Tower.^[77] They left Ravenscrag around January 15th to stay at James Ross's house on Peel Street.^[78]

In December 1913, while Hugh Montagu was in England, Lady Allan organized a costume ball in honor of her son, Hugh II, for the holiday season. The young ladies dressed as servants, while the young men donned the uniforms of French chefs. The reception rooms at Ravenscrag were decorated in red and green.^[79]

During the week of January 3, 1915, Lady Allan gave a "young men's ball" in honor of Miss Gwen Allan, Miss Anna Allan and Mr. Hugh II Allan at Ravenscrag. All the invited officer cadets and soldiers were in uniform.^[80]

On May 7, 1915, Montagu and his wife Margaret's two youngest daughters, Anna and Gwendolyn, perished in the sinking of the RMS Lusitania. Later, in 1917, during World War I, their only son, Hugh Allan II, was killed in action. Of their four children, only their eldest daughter, Margaret Martha, remained. Life at Ravenscrag then became "more austere." Receptions became less frequent after these tragic events that befell the Allan family.^{[g 3]}

After five years of absence, Lady Allan returned to Ravenscrag the week of October 4, 1919 with her husband Hugh Montagu and their daughter Martha.^[81]

In January 1920, the Allans received a visit at Ravenscrag from Lieutenant-Colonel Kenric-Rudolphus Marshall, C.M.G., D.S.O., and his wife.^[82] Hugh Montagu was sixty years old in 1920, and his only child, Marguerite Martha, was pursuing a career as an actress and playwright. This profession often required her to travel and be away from home for several months each year.^{[g 3]} Furthermore, maintaining such a residence was becoming increasingly expensive for the elderly couple. They rented Ravenscrag "to wealthy visitors for varying periods of time."^{[g 3]} Marguerite Martha also occasionally used the ballroom as a theatre, where she gathered young English- and French-speaking actors, including Gratien Gélinas, to practice her craft.^{[L 1]}

On June 11, 1921, Lady Allan gave a ball in honor of Lord and Lady Harlington and their guests, Sir Frederich Orr-Levis (president of the Canadian Vickers Ltd. company) and Miss Orr-Lewis.^[83]

On June 2, 1926, Ravenscrag hosted a reception following the marriage of Marguerite Evelyn, daughter of Mrs. E.A. Bearmore of Montreal, to Dr. E. Thorburn Cleveland, son of Dr. and Mrs. E. T. Cleveland, at St. Jax Church in Montreal.^[84]

On June 15, 1926, Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy, and his wife, hosted a dinner at Ravenscrag during their stay in Montreal.^[85]

On October 30, 1930, Lady Allan hosted the debutante ball at Ravenscrag in honor of Miss Barbara Cowans and Miss Rosanna Todd.^[86]

On July 3, 1931, Ravenscrag became the temporary official residence of the Governor-General, his wife the Countess of Bessborough, and their entourage for the remainder of the summer season.^[87]

On August 14, 1931, Lady Bessborough gave birth to her fourth child, a boy, at the Royal Victoria Hospital while the Governor General (9th Earl of Bessborough) and his entourage were staying at Ravenscrag. It was at Ravenscrag that Lord Bessborough received congratulations from King George V and Canadian Prime Minister Richard Bedford Bennett on the birth of his son. An opening was made in the east wall of the residence to allow Lord Bessborough access to the Royal Victoria Hospital without having to travel along Pine Avenue. Although unconfirmed, the King and Queen of Siam may have stayed at Ravenscrag during their visit to Canada around this time.^[88] On August 31, 1931, the Governor General announced from Ravenscrag that his newborn son would be christened "George St. Lawrence Neuflize" at St. Bartholomew's Church in Ottawa on September 22, 1931.^[89][90]

Over the years, the house no longer met the needs of the old couple and the modern world. In addition, the Second World War was upon Ravenscrag and Hugh Montagu was faced with a potential property tax of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per year.^[91] He and Lady Allan decided to move to an apartment in the Le Château Apartments building on Sherbrooke Street in 1938. When the war broke out in 1939, the couple immediately offered Ravenscrag to the Canadian government with the intention of serving as a convalescent home for war victims. However, as the government did not know what to do with it, the couple decided in 1940 to offer it to the Royal Victoria Hospital instead.

On November 18 and 19, 1940, Hugh Montague put the residence's furniture up for auction: the auctioneer, Fraser Bros Ltd, sold, among other things, hunting trophies in the form of antelope heads mounted on wall sconces, candelabra supported by life-size caryatids, long hallway carpets, and elephants carved in ivory and ebony.^[91] “The scene took on the appearance of an auction in a blockbuster movie.”^[92] Statues, paintings, carpets, and bedding were sold following “lively” bidding wars.^[92] Several of the pieces of furniture for sale were of surprising sizes: “[…] wardrobes larger than any standard room in a private city home, a kitchen table longer than any table you might find in a restaurant, more than five bathtubs that could have held several people at once […], refrigeration equipment more spacious than the average one found in any store, […].” Even the residence's internal telephone system, linking together the butler's room, stables, cloakroom, bedrooms, sewing room, conservatory, caretaker's cottage and tennis court, was up for sale.^[92] The day of the auction was marked by snow and wet weather, and dead leaves littered the conservatory floor, marking the sad end of the Allan's glorious home. On 19 November 1940, Hugh Montagu Allan donated Ravenscrag to the Royal Victoria Hospital^{[AN-488283 1][RFQ 1]} Their only daughter, Martha Allan, died two years later, on 4 April 1942, leaving the couple without an heir.^[93]

1940 to 2021 : Allan Memorial Institute

On November 19, 1940, the Royal Victoria Hospital received Ravenscrag estate as a gift from Hugh Montagu Allan.^{[AN-488283 1]} For nearly three years, the hospital was undecided as to the eventual use of the former mansion.^{[f 6]} The hospital even considered destroying the residence to replace it with a new building.^[90] It was not until 1943 that the hospital decided to transform it into a department dedicated to psychiatry, the first of its kind in Canada.^{[f 6]} From then on, major changes were made to the interior of the house in order to better serve the new purpose of the new department. Between 1943 and 1944, the Royal Victoria Hospital commissioned architects Harold Lawson and H. B. Little to almost completely redo the interior of the residence and the stables; only a wall of the old library and the vestibule of the house remained visible and intact^{[c 4][c 5][f 7]} On this occasion, the institute offered to the École du meuble de Montréal (School of Cabinetmaking of Montreal) most of the easily removable interior decorations (cabinets, shelves, doors, door frames, etc.), "which accepted them eagerly".^[94] In 1945, all the balconies and terraces were destroyed and the balcony adjacent to the dining room was closed off by walls. In addition, the greenhouse was removed that same year.^{[f 6]}

In the 1940s, the former mansion was renamed the Allan Memorial Institute in honor of the Allan family.^[90] The institute opened its doors on July 12, 1944.^{[i 1]} It then had about fifty rooms, four laboratories and offices for administration and staff.^{[i 2]} The first director of the institute was Dr. Donald Ewen Cameron, until then a professor of psychiatry at McGill University.^{[i 2]}

Around 1951, the institute was still confined to the old residence and its former stable, which quickly became overcrowded. Several members of the institute had small offices mainly located in the basement of the house, which at that time housed the entire psychology department. Between 1952 and 1953, the institute commissioned architects E. I. Barrot, L. E. Marshall, R. A. Montgomery, and J. C. Merrett to build a T-shaped annex to extend the residence to the rear^{[h 1][k 2]} The construction of a new wing made of Queenston limestone increased the institute's capacity to 250 beds. This new wing was inaugurated on October 10, 1953.^{[i 2]}

Further interior modifications to the former residence took place in the basement during the construction of the rear addition between 1952 and 1953. In the western section of the basement, several new rooms were created, including offices, an electronics shop, a machine shop, and a room for the second psychophysiology laboratory. In the eastern section of the basement, the former laundry room, a large tiled room, was divided into three offices to accommodate the clinical psychology staff.^{[k 3]} Toward the end of the 1950s, one of the basement offices was converted into an animal testing laboratory. A metalwork company was contracted to fabricate the animal cages and the ventilation duct system connecting the basement to the outside through the roof. The laboratory was also equipped for performing surgeries, histology, and data storage.^{[k 3]}

Around 1960, the idea arose to build a new annex for teaching and research for McGill University's Department of Psychiatry. Despite the construction of the rear annex a few years earlier and modifications to the old residence, the institute's members faced significant problems: in particular, numerous pipes attached to the ceilings carrying hot water raised the room temperatures so high that staff had to combat the heat with air conditioners running year-round. Furthermore, the animal experimentation laboratory was smaller than the institution's needs. Dr. Cameron successfully convinced McGill University's Principal, Frank Cyril James, of the merits of the new building. Plans for a new annex were then drawn up and presented to the McGill Building Programme Committee. These plans were subject to last-minute changes before their presentation to the committee: an entire floor was removed, as the allocated budget could not cover its construction. The building cost nearly $1,600,000, with the funds coming mainly from the Quebec government, but also from a significant donation from Irving Ludmer, "a great benefactor of his time and country, whose generous gift was the decisive factor in the university giving high priority to the construction of this building."^{[k 4]}

On November 13, 1963, the new pavilion named "Irving Ludmer" of the Allan Memorial Institute was officially inaugurated by Governor General Georges Vanier and his wife Pauline Archer in the presence of Principal and Vice-Chancellor Rocke Robertson of McGill University. Laboratory demonstrations were on the program.^{[k 5]} Governor General Georges Vanier unveiled the commemorative plaque marking its opening, inscribed: “This building, dedicated to the study of human behavior and its disorders and to the teaching of those who shall devote themselves to the conquest of mental illness, was opened on november 13th, 1963 by Major-General the Right Honourable Georges P. Vanier, D.S.O., M.C., D.C., Governor-General of Canada.”^{[k 6]} The building was then opened to the public, with all four and a half floors accessible. Its opening coincided with the twentieth anniversary of the Allan Memorial Psychiatric Research Institute. The official evening was preceded by a lecture on November 12, 1963.^{[note 1]} A banquet was planned for the evening at the Redpath Hall.^{[k 7]}

Since research is the primary function of the new complex, the building is named the "Irving Ludmer Psychiatry Research and Training Pavilion" rather than simply the "Training and Research Pavilion." The lecture and practical work rooms on the ground floor, as well as the viewing room on the fourth floor, play a key role in the teaching activities conducted by its members. The offices of the Department of Psychiatry occupy a corner of the first floor.^{[k 6]}

In 1986, the institute built a new annex "in order to offer a more comprehensive range of psychiatric care" and increased the institute's capacity by twenty beds.^[18]

On December 15, 1987, the City of Montreal declared by regulation that the Ravenscrag estate is an integral part of the “site patrimonial du Mont-Royal” (Mount Royal heritage site).^{[95][REG-7593 1]}

After more than a century of existence, wear and tear, and exposure to the elements, the old residence and grounds are beginning to show their age. The paint on the cornice is peeling in several places^[96], the rosettes on the coffered ceiling of the vestibule have come loose and fallen, and the decorative elements of the monumental double entrance doors, such as the carved lions and cherubs, have fallen or broken.^{[k 8][k 9]} In the 1980s, the Allan Memorial Institute Development Fund organized a fundraising campaign that financed the restoration of part of the stables between 1980 and 1990, the entrance doors in 1991, and the vestibule and entrance hall of the residence, which began between 1992 and 1993. In 1993, another fundraising campaign was held to mark, among other things, the fiftieth anniversary of the institute's founding. A gala evening took place at Place des Arts on November 14, 1993, bringing together four of the greatest guitarists of the moment: Joe Pass (jazz), Leo Kottke (folk guitar), Pepe Romero (classical guitar) and Paco Peña (flamenco guitar).^[21]

In July 1997, the official creation of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) was announced, merging the Montreal Children's Hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital (including the Allan Memorial Institute), the Montreal General Hospital, the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital and the Montreal Chest Institute.^[97]

On September 28, 1998, the planned relocation of the Royal Victoria Hospital to the new McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) site near the Vendôme station, scheduled for 2003 or 2004, was announced.^[98] The future of the Royal Victoria Hospital properties, including Ravenscrag, became uncertain. On November 5, 1998, MUHC officials announced that "three of the four current MUHC facilities—the General Hospital, the Montreal Children's Hospital, and the Royal Victoria Hospital—will be converted for residential (condos) and commercial (office) purposes."^[99] Specifically, the Royal Victoria Hospital buildings would be converted into "luxury condos," following the suggestion of architectural and urban planning firms hired by the MUHC in 1997 for the redevelopment of these buildings.^[100]

In 1999, McGill University, which was at the time looking for potential spaces to acquire or lease in order to meet the need for space related to the growing number of students in the coming decades, became interested in the properties of the Royal Victoria Hospital, which was scheduled to move in 2003 or 2004. Ravenscrag in particular became a possible location for a new university pavilion. However, the cost of transforming the hospital buildings and the residence hindered the adoption of such a project.^[101]

In May 2000, a thesis by four MBA students at UQAM challenged the McGill University Health Centre's (MUHC) plan to convert the Royal Victoria Hospital properties into luxury condominiums. Regarding Ravenscrag, the students proposed instead "transforming the Allan Memorial Institute, formerly Ravenscrag, Montreal's finest 19th-century property, into a Relais & Châteaux on Mount Royal. This would allow the public to dine in a panoramic restaurant just 50 meters from Olmsted Road."^[102]

On May 25, 2000, the newspaper Le Devoir reported on the lack of maintenance of McGill University properties, including several of the converted former mansions in the Golden Square Mile. It specifically mentioned that "the Gate House of Sir Hugh Allan's Ravenscrag residence is in a terrible state."^[103]

On November 8, 2000, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) announced it would hold a public consultation on the future of the Royal Victoria Hospital's land and buildings following its planned relocation in 2005. This consultation took place on January 15 and 16, 2001, under the direction of an independent committee composed of lawyers Roy L. Heenan and Michel Yergeau, and Senator Joan Fraser.^[100] They submitted their report in April 2001 ^{[RAP-CUSM 1]}. Regarding the Allan Memorial Institute's buildings and land, they notably recommended:

that any reuse of these buildings be designed to ensure better accessibility and permeability between the city and the park. This can be achieved by adding public access points through the development of pedestrian and cycling paths, signage, and by returning to the park certain areas currently occupied by parking lots [...] which will become additional green spaces. It goes without saying that no project should be authorized on these lands, nor any addition that would increase the physical and visual barriers between the park and the city.

On March 9, 2005, the Quebec government created the "Site patrimonial du Mont-Royal" (Mount Royal Heritage Site) by decree.^{[D-2005 1]} Under this decree, the Ravenscrag Estate is part of this protected area.^{[D-2005 2]}

In May 2006, the Royal Victoria Hospital received notice from the City of Montreal to temporarily remove approximately fifty parking spaces along a retaining wall that was in danger of collapsing, while the protected wall underwent repairs. According to Antonin Bouchard, then the hospital's project engineer, "the retaining wall, which requires nearly a million dollars in repairs, is [...] far down the institution's list of priorities. [...] So, we decided to convert a grassy area [belonging to the Allan Memorial Institute] into a parking lot." However, because the area was protected and the institution had not submitted any formal requests to the appropriate government authorities, the hospital "violated Quebec's Cultural Property Act [...] and risks severe government sanctions."^[104] On June 22, 2006, it was announced that the illegal parking lot had been dismantled: the materials had been removed and grass had been sown in the affected area.^[105]

On June 6, 2013, McGill University announced its interest in purchasing the buildings and land of the Royal Victoria Hospital, which is scheduled to move to the new MUHC site in 2015. In its plan, it would maintain a mental health focus for the buildings on the Ravenscrag estate (house, stables, and gatehouse).^[106]

On March 31, 2014, the "Groupe d'experts sur l'avenir des bâtiments hospitaliers excédentaires de Montréal" (Expert Group on the Future of Surplus Hospital Buildings in Montreal) recommended, among other things, that the Quebec government "transfer all of the property, including the Allan Memorial Institute, to McGill University, according to a process and terms that remain to be negotiated."^{[RAP-MTL2014 1]}

On April 26, 2015, the Royal Victoria Hospital moved its last patients to the new MUHC site. However, some services from the former Allan Memorial Institute remains on site, including the MUHC's outpatient psychiatric services.^[107]

In 2018, the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications published its conservation plan for the Mount Royal heritage site. This plan cites the conservation guidelines favoured by the Ministry following a public consultation.^{[PLAN-2018 1]} This plan “is intended to guide the Minister’s decisions in the exercise of the powers conferred upon him under sections 64 and 65 of the Cultural Heritage Act”^{[PLAN-2018 2]}. Regarding Ravenscrag, the conservation plan confirms that the buildings and grounds of the estate are part of the Mount Royal heritage site.^{[PLAN-2018 3]} However, it does not specify which elements are to be conserved. In the list of guidelines applicable to the entire heritage site, one guideline is specific to Ravenscrag :

170. In the Golden Square Mile neighborhood, promote the maintenance of evidence of the pavilion organisation characteristic of 19th century villas, including outbuildings, as well as their landscaping, including ornamental trees on lawns, paths, walls, low walls, stairs and terraces.

In 2018 still, the Government of Quebec "commissioned the Société québécoise des infrastructures (SQI) [...] to organize the redevelopment of the entire site [of the former Royal Victoria Hospital and the Allan Memorial Institute] by means of a Master Development Plan".^{[OCP-2022 1]}

On August 29, 2019, the City of Montreal published its official "énoncé de l'intérêt patrimonial du site de l'institut Allan Memorial (Ancienne villa Ravenscrag)" (Statement of Heritage Interest of the Allan Memorial Institute Site (Former villa Ravenscrag)).^{[EIP-2019 1]} In this statement, the City established the value it places on various elements of the Ravenscrag estate. For example, it attributed architectural and artistic value to the "exceptional quality of the architectural and design of the villa, the stables, the gatehouse and the surrounding wall, their great beauty and their representation of the opulence of the Golden Square Mile".^{[EIP-2019 2]} Inside the residence, it attributed artistic value to the "formidable library furniture" as well as to the "decor incorporating gilding and the richly carved rosettes on the original ceilings of the ballroom (concealed above a suspended ceiling).^{[EIP-2019 2]} However, this statement does not grant artistic value to the decorative paintings by the artist Giuseppe Guidicini in the drawing room and the library (hidden behind a layer of paint), nor to the original dining room table, probably from the J. & W. Hilton company, stored in the library, purchased by the Royal Victoria Hospital on November 19, 1940 at auction,^{[108][AN-17456 3]} nor to the painted portraits on canvas of Lady Marguerite Ethel Allan (painted by the artist Robert Harris) and Sir Hugh Montagu Allan, both located in the entrance hall, and nor even the portrait bust of Sir Hugh Allan sculpted by Robert Forsyth, located in the portico.

On May 26, 2020, the McGill University Health Centre amended the deed of ownership of the Ravenscrag site: the legal entity of the former Royal Victoria Hospital officially transferred the Ravenscrag estate to the MUHC.^{[RFQ 2]}

On April 13, 2021, the Heritage Council and the Jacques-Viger Committee of the City of Montreal were asked to give their opinion on a draft bylaw amending the City's urban planning bylaw, as well as on a draft bylaw concerning the site of the former Royal Victoria Hospital and the Allan Memorial Institute. These committees jointly issued 19 recommendations, including "conducting a comprehensive inventory of heritage features located within existing buildings across the entire site" and "adding provisions to the draft bylaw relating to their protection."^{[AVIS-2021 1]}

2021 to current day : McGill University Pavilion

On May 21, 2021, the SQI submitted its Master Plan for the development of the site of the former Royal Victoria Hospital and the Allan Memorial Institute, which includes the proposed Royal Victoria University Pavilion, nicknamed the “New Vic,” of McGill University.^[109] However, in order for this plan to be validated by the City of Montreal, two draft regulations must first be adopted, thus requiring a public consultation, the work of which begins in August 2021.^{[OCP-2022 1]}

On November 16, 2021, McGill University announced that it might authorize excavations at the site of the former Allan Memorial Institute to verify the presence of unmarked Indigenous burials, following allegations by a group of Mohawk women that the bodies of Indigenous children had been buried around the site as a result of psychiatric experiments conducted between 1954 and 1963.^[110] In response, on March 30, 2022, six Mohawk mothers from Kahnawake "launched a civil lawsuit in Quebec Superior Court in the hope of suspending work on the former Royal Victoria Hospital and the Allan Memorial Institute" and "providing the resources necessary for an immediate and thorough investigation of the Allan Memorial Institute site."^[111]

On May 11, 2022, the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCP) tabled its report on the public consultation on the draft regulations aimed at enabling the implementation of the SQI Master Plan for the development of the site of the former Royal Victoria Hospital and the Allan Memorial Institute.^{[OCP-2022 1]} In this report, the OCP recommends in particular that "the City ensure that the exterior of the villa Ravenscrag is restored to its original appearance".^{[OCP-2022 2]} It even adds that "any future project must include a restoration [of the surrounding wall and its gates]".^{[OCP-2022 2]} However, the Office does not expressly recommend the restoration or restitution of architectural or decorative elements of the interior of the former residence. Overall, the OCP "recommends moving forward with the redevelopment of the site of the former Royal Victoria Hospital by McGill University".^[112]

Work to repurpose the site will begin in the summer of 2022. Archaeological excavations are also being carried out by Arkéos company at various locations on the former site of the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Allan Memorial Institute.^[113]

On October 27, 2022, a Superior Court judge ordered the SQI and McGill University to stop all work on the site of the former Royal Victoria Hospital and the Allan Memorial Institute, and asked the parties to prepare a plan to search for anonymous graves.^[114]

On November 29, 2022, draft by-laws No. 21-032 and No. 04-047-223 enabling the implementation of the Master Plan for the development of the site of the former Royal Victoria Hospital and the Allan Memorial Institute of the SQI were adopted by Montreal City Council.^{[REG-21-032 1][REG-04-047-223 1]}

On April 4, 2023, the McGill University Health Centre transferred the Ravenscrag estate to the Société québécoise des infrastructures (SQI), in accordance with the 2014 recommendation of the "Groupe d'experts sur l'avenir des bâtiments hospitaliers excédentaires de Montréal" (Expert Panel on the Future of Surplus Hospital Buildings in Montreal).^{[RFQ 2][RAP-MTL2014 1]} The MUHC, however, remains a tenant until April 2, 2028.^{[BAIL-2023 1]}

On April 20, 2023, the Superior Court ratified an agreement signed on April 6, 2023, by, among others, the Mohawk Mothers group, the SQI, McGill University, and the City of Montreal. According to the agreement, the archaeological excavations will be supervised by a panel of three archaeologists, assisted by a Mohawk archaeologist.^[115]

On September 14, 2023, the Mohawk Mothers again asked the Superior Court to halt work at the site of the former Royal Victoria Hospital and the Allan Memorial Institute, arguing that the terms of the agreement signed on April 6 had not been met, particularly the requirement for archaeological excavations to be supervised by a panel of archaeological experts.^[116] On November 20, 2023, the Superior Court partially ruled in favour of the Mohawk Mothers, ordering the SQI and McGill University to comply with the condition of the agreement ratified on April 20 and to have the archaeological excavations supervised by a panel of archaeological experts. A decision overturned on August 16, 2024 by the Quebec Court of Appeal, which considers that the trial judge "misunderstood the scope of his power to issue safeguard orders" and that he "appropriated the power to supervise the application of the agreement without any real debate on the merits."^[117]

Exterior

The house is built like a villa or as an English country house in the Italianate style, following the principles of Victorian architecture.^{[c 1][c 2][f 2]}

The exterior architecture of Ravenscrag meets the requirements of the image so sought after in the Victorian era by exploiting the asymmetry of the facades and the abundance of details. The choice of the Italianate Neo-Renaissance style is not without reason: the multiple architectural and decorative elements used in the Italian Renaissance, such as the campanile, the bracketed cornice, the cherubs, and the Palladian-style windows, help achieve this image.^{[c 2][f 2]}

Ravenscrag is built of rough-faced Montreal grey-stone with smooth quoins and window surrounds.^{[f 2][g 2]} It is primarily characterized by its tower or campanile, approximately 23 meters (75 feet) high and covering an area of 1.86 m² (20 square feet), which appears to divide the house in two.^[11] All of the tower's original balconies have disappeared, and some of the French windows providing access to them have been partially walled up.^{[c 4]} An iron flagpole once stood on the tower's roof.

At the base of the tower is the vestibule, which was connected around 1899 to the old portico, creating the illusion that the tower had moved back several meters.^{[f 8]} This old portico, now sealed against the elements, features four steps on its south facade leading to a double door. This doorway is decorated with coffered rosettes in the center and surrounded by a sculpted string of Egg-and-dart, and leaves at the corners. This sculpted string is then surrounded by a string of leaves and fruits, each with a different decoration of leaves and fruits, cherubs, or lion heads.^{[c 7]}

The doorway is then extended by a window that takes the form of the arch above. This arch, which features a keystone consisting of a mascaron representing a female figure, is surrounded by a sculpted strip known as a "Bead and reel" and then by a string of Egg-and-dart. On either side of this keystone are the interlaced letters of the first and last names of the former owner, Hugh Montagu Allan, on the right, and his wife, Margerite Ethel Allan, on the left.

On either side of the doorway, a plinth supports a pair of columns. The Roman Doric capitals of the columns are crowned with a square abacus supported by a spine decorated with leaves. Their gorgets are adorned with flowers. These columns support a pediment featuring in its center what appears to be a dog's head, above which is the Allan family motto in Latin, "Spero," meaning "hope." For some, this motto demonstrates the Allan family's concern for human misery and their willingness to improve the living conditions of the poor. For others, this motto signifies more for Hugh Allan the value of "determination".^{[f 9][k 1]}

The south facade of the ballroom still bears Sir Hugh Allan's coat of arms.^{[f 10]} Furthermore, the ballroom's mansard roof was once covered with a cast iron crest, which was removed in the 1940s. The former access to the greenhouse from the ballroom was also walled up, with the exception of an opening to allow access to the Irving Ludmer Psychiatry Research and Training Pavilion.

The roof, called "gable slope" or "butterfly," is covered with batten-shaped metal sheets.

• 
  Dog's head crowned with the motto "Spero" of the Allan family
• 
  Intertwined letters "H", "M" and "A" for Hugh Montagu Allan
• 
  Detail of the columns (2012)
• 
  Palladian style window (2012)
• 
  Coat of arms of Sir Hugh Allan (2012)

Interior

The interior of the residence had 34 rooms after 1865, excluding the servants' quarters and outbuildings. The residence and the servants' quarters together had a floor area of approximately 4,968 m² (53,475 sqft) over five floors, including the basement and attic.^{[h 1]} The reception rooms were built of a size and style compatible for society gatherings and to receive royalty, the first known instance of which occurred in 1869 when the Allans entertained the young Prince Arthur during his year in Montreal with the Rifle Brigade.^{[33][JCD-1880 1]}

The interior of the house was a typically eclectic example of Victorian style. Bright colours were used, such as the green silk-woven lining on the dining room walls. There were also hand-painted frescos and murals illustrated with mythological or quotidian scenes, and decorative elements were embellished with gilding.^{[f 11]}

The painted decorations

In 1863, the Italian-born painter Giuseppe Guidicini did the decorative paintings of at least two rooms at Ravenscrag, namely the drawing room and the library.^{[9][o 1]} These paintings depicted mythological scenes or quotidian scenes.^{[g 4]} However, no information or study exists on the iconographic description of the artist's paintings Furthermore, when the residence was converted into a psychiatric institution in 1943, all of these paintings were covered with white paint, rendering them unreadable.^{[j 3]} Also, there is no information explaining how Hugh Allan chose this artist to decorate his residence. It is possible that Hugh Allan admired the decorations created by the artist at the Victoria Mansion in Portland during one of his business trips. Indeed, Hugh Allan, whose shipping company served that city, stopped there at least once between 1860 and 1862.^[119] It is also possible that Hugh Allan met the artist in Montreal, where the latter was creating the temporary decorations for the Cosmopolitan Hotel on Place d'Armes for the wedding of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), and Princess Alexandra of Denmark (later Queen Alexandra) on March 10, 1863.^[9]

In 1872, in anticipation of the visit to Montreal of the Earl of Dufferin, the third Governor General of Canada, Hugh Allan decided to enhance the decoration of the ballroom. He possibly commissioned John McArthur's firm to execute the painted decorations for this room.^{[note 2]}

The woodwork

Between 1861 and 1862 (main residence), and then around 1865 (annex rooms), George Roberts' company completed all the woodwork for the building, from the wood structure to the ornamental wood carving incorporated into the structure.^{[AN-8136 1]}

In 1899, the Montreal-based firm of decorator Walter P. Scott did the woodwork for the vestibule, entrance hall, small living room, and dining room during the alterations made to the residence.^[15][13][14]

The furtniture

To furnish his new residence, Hugh Allan appears to have primarily used the services of the J. & W. Hilton firm of Montreal. Indeed, a publication by the Canada Railway Advertising Company in 1864 specifies that this firm was "employed to furnish the library of Mr. Hugh Allan's splendid residence at the mountain." Furthermore, the publication adds that "those who are qualified to judge, have declared that this particular apartment to be, as far as cabinet-work is concerned, the most magnificently fitted up of any in Canada."^{[b 2]} It is therefore likely that this firm furnished and decorated most of the rooms in this residence at that time.

The Montreal cabinetmaker James Thomson may also have produced some furniture for Ravenscrag. In fact, on March 13, 1869, this cabinetmaker signed an agreement with Hugh Allan providing the necessary capital to establish a furniture manufacturing company.^{[AN-14741 1]}

The Montreal firm of decorator Walter P. Scott also likely produced some furniture for Ravenscrag during the 1899 alterations to the residence, possibly including the Renaissance Revival-style dining room sideboard.^[15][13][14]

The firm of decorator W. Henry Bell of Bell's Galleries in Montreal supplied furniture for Ravenscrag between 1911 and 1913, possibly including Louis XVI style armchairs for the main drawing room.^[120][10]

In fact, there are two inventories of the original furnishings that once furnished the house: the Ravenscrag furniture list compiled during the inventory of Hugh Allan's estate in January 1883,^{[AN-17456 4]} and the list of furniture offered for sale by Hugh Montagu Allan at the auction held on November 18 and 19, 1940, by Fraser Bros Ltd. However, the first directory does not mention the manufacturer(s) of the furniture cited, and the second is not yet accessible since no public library possesses a copy and the auction company lost all the records of the auction held in 1940 during a fire that ravaged the company's building on January 7, 1942.^[121]

The decorations and the conversion into a hospital building (1943)

In 1943, the newly established Allan Memorial Institute converted the residence into a hospital building, according to plans by the architectural firm Lawson and Little.^{[note 3][c 4][c 5][c 7]} At that time, the painted decorations in the drawing room and the library were covered with white paint,^{[j 3]} while those on the ballroom ceiling were concealed behind a false ceiling.^{[m 5][m 6]} As for the remaining decorations, the institute invited Jean-Marie Gauvreau of the École du meuble de Montréal to come and salvage all the architectural elements from the interior of Ravenscrag, free of charge.^[94] All easily removable elements, such as doors, columns, frames, and carved wooden overdoors, or even the wrought-iron railing of the musicians' gallery, were then salvaged and added to the collection, forming a group of hundreds, if not thousands, of objects. In 1958, the École du Meuble became the Institut des Arts Appliqués.^[122] Then, in 1967, with the founding of the CEGEPs, the Institut des Arts Appliqués came under the authority of the Cégep du Vieux Montréal, and the Jean-Marie Gauvreau collection became the property of the Ministry of Education.^[122] From 1984 to 1994, the collection was the property of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.^[122] Then, from 1994 to 2005, the collection once again became the property of the Ministry of Education and Science.^[122] In 2005, he agreed to donate the collection to the Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec, renamed the MUMAQ - Musée des métiers d'art du Québec in 2020.^[122] However, the objects in the Jean-Marie Gauvreau collection, particularly those from Ravenscrag, did not all have the same history. After 1967, the collection was stored in several different locations. Some were kept at the Hélène-de-Champlain Pavilion, others at the Jacques-Cartier Bridge Pavilion, and still others in a warehouse on Notre-Dame Street East in Montreal.^[123][122] During the 1980s, a "housecleaning" of the collection was undertaken; that is, under the direction of Luc d'Iberville-Moreau and Gérard Lavallée, among others, a complete review of the collection took place, and several institutions shared the objects among themselves at that time. For example, in 1985, part of the collection was stored at the Musée des arts décoratifs de Montréal. Then, in 1987, part was stored at the Musée d'Art de Saint-Laurent.^[122] Other institutions also inherited objects from the collection, such as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the MacDonald-Stewart Foundation, the McCord Stewart Museum, the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, and the Musée de la civilisation. Some objects, lacking provenance information and deemed to be in poor condition or of no interest, were literally thrown away or given away. Regarding the objects in the collection from Ravenscrag, Jean-Marie Gauvreau reportedly failed to properly identify them or did not identify them at all upon acquisition, making tracing their history complex. Nevertheless, the MUMAQ - Musée des métiers d'art du Québec has held some of these objects, which have been stored in a warehouse beneath the Boisé Library in the Saint-Laurent borough since 2013. Another part of these objects is kept by the MacDonald-Stewart Foundation. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts stores the Renaissance Revival-style dining room sideboard,^{[note 4]} and the McCord Stewart Museum has the small living room's sofa,^{[note 5]} and two of the ballroom's chairs.^{[note 6]}