"In July 1955, David Macdonald Stewart inaugurated a small museum devoted to the military past in the wooden blockhouse at the heart of Île Sainte-Hélène. A modest collection of objects relating to a troubled period of colonial history, that of the war and English conquest of 1760 was presented. Naturally, it was called the Montreal Military Museum.
Since 1955, the Stewart Museum has put together collections representative of the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries in the history of North America. As well, all that has been instrumental in the development of European civilization following the discovery of America, especially its interest in colonization and exploration, are of particular interest to the Stewart Museum, in order to understand the factors which contributed to the discovery of the New World, and its subsequent settlement.
Through its exhibition, and education and program activities, the Stewart Museum endeavours to define relationships through different history, social, political, military, scientific and technological themes, as well as, the interplay between the old and new worlds. It strives to make use of all its collections, especially its artifacts, antiquarian books and engravings, and to present them in an integrated manner.
"Since the end of the 1960s, the Stewart Museum has occupied the buildings which constitute the British Fortified depot of Saint-Helen’s Island (1824-1870). near Montreal. These buildings were erected between 1820 and 1824 by the British."
History and Memory.
"Our collective past is a mosaic of the history of Aboriginal peoples, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and society's major discoveries, among others. All have fed our imaginations and will forever be part of our individual and shared memory.
History and Memory offers an historical journey that will take visitors from the Aboriginal era to the present day. For the first time since its founding, the Stewart Museum is now able to showcase almost 500 artefacts, images, archival documents, and early maps.
Visitors will delight in seeing our history unfold in all of its facets. Key moments such as the Protestant Reformation and religious wars, the adventure of living in New France, the Enlightenment, navigation, maritime trade, industrial revolution, and the Patriots rebellion will all be explained. The focus will also be on the history and heritage of l'Île Sainte-Hélène, an apt reflection of our desire to bring together local, national and world history.
The celebrated model displaying the fortifications of Montreal has also been fully restored and now features interactive technology that combines historical analysis with illustrations from the Stewart Museum collection." (Stewart Museum)
Opening Hours
Wed to Sun 11 a.m. to 5p.m.
Prices
$13
Address
20, chemin du Tour-de-l’isle
Montreal QC H3C 0K7
Jean-Drapeau Park
Telephone : 514.861.6701
e-mail : info@stewart-museum.org
How to Get There
Metro: Jean-Drapeau Station (Then 10 minute walk)
Car: Jacques-Cartier Bridge, exit Jean-Drapeau
Parking P7 ($)
External Links
Official web site
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