National Battlefields Park

The National Battlefields Park (Plains of Abraham) were once known solely for the many clashes between the French and British empires which occured. This occured until the 1759 battle. Then it became the site upon which soldiers built fortifications against American invaders. What is isn't known to most people is that the park was once a pasture and nature laboratory during the French Regime and an astronomy labratory in the 19th and 20th centuries. Then, at the the start of the 20th century, the Battlefields were redeveloped into a historic and urban park. The park has since been used for many events including the Tricentenary of the City of Québec in 1908. The Plains were also used for agricultural fairs, outdoor performance and even nationalistic ceremonies. The park now covers 108 hectares and features 6,000 trees from more than 80 different species. It has monuments, a rare sundial, and interpretive centres. The lesser known, scientific aspect of the Plains will be commemorated by the NBC with the introduction of astronomy lectures during the summer months.