See Natural History at Redpath Museum in Montreal Before The Renovations

A singular building sits apart from its associated buildings at the University of McGill. This unassuming edifice is a gem, and home to the quirky and unusual. Inside, the ornate Victorian style decorated ceilings invite you to look up, where the flying pterosaur, swoops down.

History

Founded by a Sugar Baron, and nestled on the grounds of one of Canada’s oldest universities. The Redpath Natural History Museum is an original, old school style museum.  It is a throwback to a simpler time.  You almost expect to bump into Indiana Jones, or Laura Croft as you roam the compact museum.

What You Will Find

It is the domain of enquiring minds, and a lot of fun for all the senses.  A feast for the future anthropologist or palaeontologist in the making. It’s wooden floors, and plethora of viewing cases is like entering a time capsule where facets of nature are represented. A veritable collection, from dinosaur bones, an Egyptian Mummy, to shrunken heads, and tiny shoes, from a time when Chinese women of status bound their feet. The museum’s aim is to focus on the history of life and the biodiversity of the planet.

You just never know what you will see next. It held my children’s attention and in this digital age, that is a bonus.

 African savannah animals hover and line the walls as you ascend the stairwells. The mineralogy collection is extensive, with thousands of specimens, where you can immerse yourself.

There is even a letter from Darwin on display, which adds to the Victorian ambience. This first rate research facility is used to inspire and educate the next generation of scientists. The added bonus is that the public gets to enjoy it for a voluntary contribution.

When you leave the building there is a sitting area to your left where Montrealers come to relax during lunch as they take in the activity on the university grounds. An intriguing place.

Renovations

A cool Montreal autumn day is the perfect time to seek refuge at intriguing museum like the Redpath. This will be the last opportunity see the Redpath Museum in its current incarnation. It is due to close for renovations, in December 2023, to make it more accessible, as the upper floors can only be reached via stairs at the present time. in December 2023. It will be closed for all of 2024 and reopen in 2025.

859 Sherbrooke Street West in Montreal, Quebec