McCord Stewart Museum

Can you believe this building, the McCord Stewart Museum, was once a hub for McGill University students? It was the McGill Union building, crafted in the Arts and Crafts style. But student unrest changed its destiny. The McCord Stewart Museum’s story began long before 1921, when it officially opened in this very spot. David Ross McCord, a passionate collector, envisioned a place to showcase the history and cultures of Canada. He meticulously curated his family’s collection, adding artifacts from across the country. His goal was to create a national history museum in Montreal. The McCord Stewart Museum houses a remarkable 2.5 million objects, images, and documents. It’s a treasure trove of Canadian history, encompassing Indigenous cultures, fashion, photography, and more. The Notman Photographic Archives, a collection of over 400,000 photographs, offers a glimpse into 19th and 20th-century Canada. Did you know it includes 200,000 glass negatives? These archives are so significant that they’ve been recognized by the Canada Memory of the World Register. The McCord Stewart Museum also holds North America’s oldest known patchwork quilt, dating back to 1726. The museum’s history is intertwined with McGill University. McGill administered the building for over sixty years before it became the McCord Stewart Museum we know today. The museum even merged with the Stewart Museum and the Fashion Museum, further enriching its collection. Today, the McCord Stewart Museum stands as a testament to David Ross McCord’s vision. It celebrates the diverse communities and stories that have shaped Montreal and Canada. The Totem urbain / histoire en dentelle sculpture outside the museum symbolizes the rich tapestry of Montreal’s history.