About the Museum Victor Aubert

ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION It is not possible to speak of the museum today without mentioning its origin. Maule's museum exists since 1938. Victor Aubert, its founder, born in Maule in 1874, is a unique and endearing character. Self-taught, passionate about history and archaeology, he devoted his life to collect the most diverse testimonies, cut flints, articles, simple objects, witnesses of everyday life or to gather countless photos or drawings as treasures from the past. Far from being a mere collector, he deeply desired to preserve a heritage that he never ceased to transmit to future generations by creating a museum. Thus, in 1938, he obtained from the municipality a room located in the remains of a former priory. The city museum was created. From then onwards he tried to increase collections by various donations. Self-taught archaeologist, he was nonetheless recognized This enabled him to realize publications, including the journal of the French Prehistoric Society. After he died in 1948, the museum underwent periods of sleep. Certainly, some people tried to revive him as Jacques Samsoen, curator appointed by the municipality in 1957 or in the 70s when Raymond Klein, deputy mayor, began updating the inventory of archaeological collections with the help of Jacqueline Degros, renowned archaeologist. Thereafter, the door of the museum remained closed. And then, in 1985, the mayor Daniel Demaison, attentive to Marcel Tréboit's concerns preservation and heritage development-, personally gave him the responsibility of the museum. With the help of some volunteer members of the ACIME association of which he was the president, Marcel Tréboit was able to devote himself to this exciting but demanding task.

About the Museum Victor Aubert A NIMATION OF THE MUSEUM SINCE 1985 ET THE EVOLUTION OF ITS STATUS In 1985, a small part of the collection was on display in the first floor only. The other part of the collection, fossils, flint, 19th century bonnets and lace work, band instruments and various tools were found in the attic ... and layers of dust which had accumulated! Even if the working conditions were not very favourable, Marcel Tréboit ACIME and the team set to work with perseverance. He felt it was only right to render justice yo Victor Aubert whom he had often met in his childhood. Like his predecessor Marcel Tréboit, too, was animated by an overwhelming desire to share a common heritage. Gradually other pieces from all periods were exposed. This often-required patient tasks for restoring and for identifying. A few members of ACIME assured regular opening hours for the museum, welcoming more and more groups or schools. Contacts with the press and publishers ensured publicity for the museum. The museum participated in the "Spring of Museums", the first year this event was created by the Yvelines department. But we must recognize that the impetus behind the growth of the museum was the enthusiastic stubbornness of Marcel Tréboit to share the knowledge of a common heritage. And little by little the museum has been enriched by donations from visitors or families of Maule and for whose generosity we remain sincerely thankful. Another milestone in the history of the museum is related to the 2002 law that promotes the museum "Museum of France". From now on, the collections are inalienable and any object to enter the collections must have the DRAC approval as was the case with the painting of Grillon recently acquired. The label "Museum of France" requires inventory every ten years, namely in Maule, in a retrospective inventory. This prolonged and difficult task has been accomplished by a few ACIME volunteers (according to their special gifts or training). The inventory itself is governed by strict rules and demands a host of details, photographs and other requirements. One can imagine the task as the Museum boasts over 10,000 objects! This inventory facilitates the production each year of an exhibition on the European Night of Museums.

About the Museum Victor Aubert Today the team that ensures animation of the museum is continuing Marcel Tréboit's will when he died in 2012. Visitors who discover the museum are always surprised by the interest of what is presented. Therefore, one of our goals is to promote the museum even more. Whether you already have visited the museum, or you never have had the opportunity, we are waiting for you: the museum is a common heritage of which we are all responsible.

THE BUILDING The museum is housed in the remains of a priory. The latter, founded in 1076 by monks of the Norman abbey of Saint-Evroult, played a cultural role in the region. In the twelfth century, historian Orderic Vital stayed there and wrote some of his works. There remains today only one building that houses the museum. It is covered with a superb timber frame of the fifteenth century and houses a lower hall dating from the thirteenth century.