My Montreal Bucketlist: Visiting McGill’s Redpath Museum

The Redpath Museum.
The Redpath Museum.

Now that winter is fast approaching and we are wanting to venture outside less and less, it’s the perfect time for exploring some of Montreal’s museums! And I cant think of a better one to start with than one of the oldest in the city. In fact, this museum is one of the oldest free-standing museums in Canada! The Redpath Museum, located downtown, is connected with McGill University’s Faculty of Science, and an amazing place to explore for both students and the general public alike.

The museum spans over three floors and has a large collection of ancient and modern organisms, minerals and other world cultural artefacts. The museum has a strong focus on natural history and the most popular collections are the dinosaurs, shells and mummies. The museum also has a large collection of minerals from Quebec.

The Redpath Museum.
The Redpath Museum.

The Redpath Museum is also a significant location for research. Focussing on evolution and nature, the research team examines the changes and differences comparing past and present. The museum is also used as a teaching facility for McGill University students and offers courses at both undergraduate and post graduate levels.

The Redpath Museum is open to the public and there is plenty here to interest children and adults alike. On top of the usual exhibitions there is a generous offering of public programs including documentary screenings, public lectures, and childrens activities and tours on Sundays.

The Redpath Museum.
The Redpath Museum.

But what I love most about this museum, is the wonderful feeling while exploring and discovering the collections within these walls. The Redpath Museum is old, and you can really feel this as you enter the big front entrance! I really love this. I experience that warm feeling of visiting the grandparents home and admiring their old jewels and treasures. It’s comforting. A lovely way to spend a winters afternoon.

The Redpath Museum is located in the McGill University Campus, 859 Sherbrooke Street West. It is open Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm and Sundays 11am – 5pm. Entrance is free however there is a donation box at the front desk if you wish to donate to the museum.