MONTR葾L, CANADA.- The McCord Museum is proud to launch HEC Montr閍l – 100 Years Young! – a special exhibition celebrating the 蒫ole des Hautes 蓆udes Commerciales’s 100th anniversary. This exhibition is designed to give visitors from all walks of life a renewed appreciation for this prestigious and vital Montr閍l institution by tracing its evolution and the extraordinary path it has forged - from its beginnings to today. The exhibition runs until August 5, 2007.

HEC Montr閍l – 100 Years Young! is built around remarkable historical documents and manuscripts, archives, audiovisual presentations and photographs: a decree written on parchment paper dating back to 1492; a payment order signed by Louis XIV, an imposing vase given by France at the beginning of the 1920’s; a silent film from the 1930’s promoting the school. These fascinating objects from HEC Montr閍l’s collection as well as objects from the McCord’s collection bring the different time periods to life. The institution’s history is represented chronologically:

1886-1907 – an introduction to the Montr閍l of that era and the circumstances that let to the creation of HEC Montr閍l, the first institution of higher learning focusing on business studies in Canada; 1907-1916 – some of the people behind the institution’s creation, its avant-garde teaching methods, the first graduates and the many challenges faced at the beginning; 1916-1938 – a new era at the school under the leadership of Henry Laureys, when the school opens up to the world; 1938- today – focus on some of the institution’s important personalities, including the first female graduate; the modernization of the school. Visitors will leave with a deeper understanding of HEC Montr閍l and the pivotal place it holds in Montr閍l, in Quebec and internationally.

The McCord seeks to continually build on its longstanding commitment to the preservation and interpretation of all aspects of Canadian history. “The importance of HEC Montr閍l on the evolution of Montr閍l as a cosmopolitan city and on the Francophone business community cannot be underestimated,” says the McCord’s Executive Director, Dr. Victoria Dickenson. “The presentation of HEC Montr閍l – 100 Years Young! offers an unparalleled opportunity, not only to appreciate the achievements of the institution, but to understand its historical context.”