Centre Canadien d'Architecture

1920, rue Baile, Montréal, QC H3H 2S6 514-939-7026

Description: Housed in an award-winning building, this museum is dedicated to architecture, urban planning and landscape design. To that effect, it exhibits the works of prominent architects and also displays its own collection of prints and drawings (numbering more than 65,000). The museum also maintains a library and gardens. In addition, the facility incorporates the historic Shaughnessy House into its construction, a circa-1874 home that has been converted to reception rooms and administrative offices.
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Centre d'histoire de Montréal

335 place d'Youville, Montréal, QC H2Y 3T1 514-872-3207

Description: This museum takes special pride in preserving Montréal's past and making it come alive for visitors. The facility features exhibits on the city's architecture, history and culture, showcasing it all by means of murals, displays and technology. Permanent exhibits highlight residents of the city over the last 100 years and create an environment of history and opportunity. Temporary exhibits provide more specific details about particular facets of Montréal's bygone days. A great adventure for visitors of all ages.
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Exporail / Canadian Railway Museum

110, rue Saint-Pierre, Saint-Constant, QC J5A 1G7 450-632-2410

Description: Exporail has more than 160 railcars, engines and streetcars ­ the largest collection in Canada and one of the largest in the world. Among its holdings are also a vast selection of railroad artifacts and ephemera, from lanterns to posters. During the summer months, the museum offers rides on the historic "Rocket," the city's first electric streetcar, and on the John Molson, a steam locomotive.
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Lieu Historique Sir G. E. Cartier

458, rue Notre-Dame est, Montréal, QC H2Y 1C8 514-283-2282

Description: Sir George Etienne Cartier was a politician, lawyer and one of the founding fathers of the Canadian Confederation. The museum is housed in his family home and features historic artifacts and displays recalling Cartier's political achievements.
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Montréal Holocaust Memorial Centre

5151 Côte Ste-Catherine Rd, 1, Carré Cummings Square, Montréal, QC H3W 1M6 514-345-2605

Description: This Centre takes as its directive the commemoration of Jewish life and the culture's rich heritage in light of the Holocaust's horrific events. It offers photos, memorabilia, artwork, religious artifacts and a wealth of documentation to illustrate the persecution of Jews and their survival through such dark hours. It also asks visitors to consider the effects of hate, which touch us today as they touched gypsies, handicapped people, gay men and women, and other targeted groups in the 1930s and 40s. In addition, the museum sponsors educational programs that hope to increase tolerance and understanding among diverse peoples. Advance reservations required for tours.
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Musée du Château Ramezay

280, rue Notre-Dame est, Montréal, QC H2Y 1C5 514-861-3708

Description: The Château Ramezay, dating back to 1705, is one of the oldest buildings in North America. It was the site of Benjamin Franklin's attempt to persuade Montréal to become the 14th state in the United States. The permanent exhibition allows visitors to take a tour through time from prehistory through the early 20th century. At the garden level (the basement), re-enactors show how life was led during the 1700s. Outside, the garden proper is laid out in traditional 18th-century style with many species close to those that existed in Ramezay's day.
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Musée McCord d'Histoire canadienne

690, rue Sherbrooke ouest, Montréal, QC H3A 1E9 514-398-7100

Description: The McCord Museum houses historic artifacts and visual art from the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum provides much information dealing with the art, culture and history of Native Canadians. Visitors can view native furs, carvings, embroidery, beadwork and 10,000 costumes. Also on display are the Notman Archives, a photography collection containing over 700,000 prints.
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Musée Stewart au Fort

20, chemin Tour de l'Isle, Fort on Île Sainte-Hélène, Montréal, QC H3C 4G6 514-861-6701

Description: This museum was built in the island's Old Fort and houses a collection of 17th and 18th century items, including maps, firearms, and scientific and navigational instruments. Soldier/actors perform reenactments for visitors during the summer months. The period mess kitchen ranks as a favorite among visitors.
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Pointe-à-Callière

350, place Royale, Montréal, QC H2Y 3Y5 514-872-9150

Description: The Pointe-à-Callière Museum stands at the point of Montréal's city founding and provides a fascinating introduction to its history. The museum details Montréal's development as a trading and meeting place and features high-tech audio-visual displays. Among the exhibits are artifacts of a cemetery dating to 1643, sections of buildings' walls from various eras, and remains from 18th-century sewage systems. An interesting look at the development of this city. Free guided tours with admission.
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Pointe-du-Buisson Archaeological Park

333, rue Émond, Beauharnois, QC J0S 1J0 450-429-7857

Description: Pointe-du-Buisson is actually a collection of 16 archaeological sites which opened to the public in 1986. Exhibits here include all sorts of fascinating finds from the site, dating to regional aboriginal people from 5000 years ago up through the mid-1900s. Along with the dig sites and museum exhibits there is a traditional sugar shack and a couple of kilometers of trails. Initial digs here led to the Université de Montréal becoming the first accredited archaeology school in the province. For an additional fee, you can even take part in one of the ongoing digs.
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Redpath Museum

859, rue Sherbrooke, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 2K6 514-398-4086

Description: This museum on the campus of McGill University features a wide range of fossils (including dinosaurs!), skeletons of rare and extinct animals, rocks and minerals, and a fine collection of Egyptian antiquities. A very worthwhile place to visit.
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