Founded circa 1921 when Montreal was Canada's main city and administered by McGill University for over 60 years, the McCord Museum was the pet project of a well-to-do Montreal lawyer with Irish roots and an insatiable passion for history: David Ross McCord.
Scouring the nation for objects of historical and cultural worth, starting in 1887, his dream of making Canadian history accessible to everyone would take close to 35 years to come to fruition. By the 1921 inauguration, McCord donated 15,000 objects of historical interest and importance to Montreal, Quebec and all of Canada, a collection his family began assembling as early as 1760, after leaving Ireland.
McCord Now
The most important historical museum of its kind across the province of Quebec, the McCord Museum boasts 1,375,000 objects, images and manuscripts from as far back as the 11th century, including:
- photographic archives
- painting, prints and drawings
- decorative arts
- costumes and textiles
- ethnological and archaeological objects
- text archives
Discover Montreal as it is and was in the form of 800 objects from McCord's vast collection. Illustrated through photographs, toys, First Nations objects, vintage gowns and more, Simply Montreal also features interactive installations.
Costumes and Dress
Representing the second most important costume collection in Canada, the costumes and textiles at the McCord Museum are particularly reputable, especially the gowns, offering a glance at the evolution of women's dress over the last 300 years as well as men and children's dress.
Temporary Exhibits
With about a half-dozen featured yearly, past temporary exhibitions include Molière in the New World and Clothes Make the Man.
Family Activities
The McCord offers family activities every month such as live storytelling, scavenger hunts, Mother's Day tea time or arts and crafts, all for a nominal fee. One tradition is on the last Wednesday of every month, where parents and babies under 18 months are invited to explore history with "exhibits" and activities adapted to the little ones. Consult the McCord family programming for detailed listing of events by month. A summer day camp and birthday events are also available. Call (514) 398-7100 for more information.
Archives and Documentation Center
Open to the public as well as researchers by appointment, the McCord Documentation Center has 240,000 items including 8,000 books and periodicals, 2,000 rare books and other archives depicting Canadian culture and society. Call (514) 398-7100 extension 249 to book an appointment.
The McCord Café
Offering lunch (sandwiches, salads, meat dishes, vegetarian options, table d'hôte) from 11:45 to 2:00 p.m. as well as desserts, coffee and tea from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., visitors are encouraged to make reservations, even same-day, as the café often fills up without notice. Call (514) 398-7100 extension 306 for reservations.
Opening Hours
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday to Friday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday during summer months and long weekends only
Contact Information
690 Sherbrooke West (corner of Victoria)
Montreal, Quebec H3A 1E9
Call (514) 398-7100 for more information.
Wheelchair accessible via 2175 Victoria Street entrance.
Get There
McGill Metro
Admission
$12 adult; $9 senior; $6 student; $4 kids ages 6 to 12; free for kids ages 5 and under; $22 family rate (1 adult, 3 children under 16 or 2 adults, 2 kids ages 16 and under); free admission the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
