Maison natale du chevalier de Lamothe-Cadillac

About

The Cadillac Museum is the burthplace of French explore Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the founder of the city of Detroit, and a museum dedicated to his life. Located in Saint-Nicolas-de-la-Grave, Tarn-et-Garonne, France, the museum opened in 1974, following interest from Detroit historians into the founder of their city. The museum is registered as a Historic Monument by the French Ministry of Culture, and is also listed as a Michigan State Historical Site by the Michigan State Historical Preservation Office. Its designation as a Michigan historic site is one of only 8 designated sites located outside the state of Michigan, and the only one located outside the United States.

Background: Antoine Laumet was likely born in this house on 5 March 1658. He fled France for North America at the age of 25, arriving in Port-Royal in 1683. Upon his arrival in America, La Mothe adopted his title after the town of Cadillac in southwestern France. He rose from a modest beginning in Acadia as an explorer, trapper, and a trader of alcohol and furs, having various positions of political importance in New France. He was the command of Fort de Buade in St. Ignace, Michigan, in 1694, and founded...