Nearly forty historical societies and heritage associations are active on the island of Montreal. Some are very old, but most are more recent. Some are very well known, most work in the shadows. Nevertheless, all these associations play an essential role in the community. They not only involve hundreds of volunteers but also reach thousands of citizens. Their action is multifaceted.

We are currently conducting a research project in collaboration with the Fédération Histoire Québec, the Federation of Quebec Historical Societies. We want to understand the multiple ramifications of the work done by these associations. We will present some findings based on research conducted in 2019 and 2021. We will pay particular attention at this annual conference of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada to the place of built heritage protection.