THE MUSEUMS
Montreal has quite a history: lively, intense and multicultural! Come and discover or rediscover it in its 14 history, archeology and ethnology museums, accessible to everyone. Their collections and archives include more than 2.3 million objects and bear witness to the evolution of the territory of Montreal from prehistory to today. Each year, they present you with passion and precision more than 30 exhibitions and events, as well as regular visits and many online activities. Fourteen museums and as many ways to tell the story of the city and its past... and to make us love it even more.
The FESTIVAL
The Montreal History Museums will present the fifth edition of the Montreal History Festival, from May 9 to 11, 2025. Montrealers of all ages and origins are invited to discover the history in all its facets and in all its states. With its fun and interactive programming, the Festival d’Histoire de Montréal offers you original themes that will make connections between our experiences, the society in which we live and those of our origins.
Programming 2025
The Montreal History Festival will be back for a 5th edition on May 9, 10 and 11, 2025.
See you next year!
COMPLETE PROGRAMMING OF THE FESTIVAL BY BOROUGHS
The 2024 Montreal History Festival offers you more than 30 activities in 13 boroughs of the city, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 10th to 12th.
You are invited to participate in urban circuits, lectures, exhibitions, special guided tours and more. Explore the secrets of archive centers, discuss with history, archeology or genealogy enthusiasts, or discover forgotten know-how.
These activities are listed below, by borough and in alphabetical order.
Click on the link provided by each participating location to display details and dates.
Click on the link at the bottom of the page to the museum map to view the location of the museums and boroughs.
AHUNTSIC-CARTIERVILLE
Société d’histoire du Domaine-de-Saint-Sulpice
Discover the Domaine de Saint-Sulpice! A walk between nature, architecture, history and civic engagement.
Meeting point: Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, 1000 Émile-Journault Avenue, Montréal, QC H2M 2E7
Date and time: Saturday, May 11, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Link: https://www.lashac.com
AHUNTSIC-CARTIERVILLE
PAAL Partageons le monde
Exhibition and workshop: Embroidering your roots in Ahuntsic
Address: Maison de la culture Ahuntsic, 10 300 Lajeunesse, 1er étage Montréal, QC, 43L 2E5.
Date and time: Friday, May 10, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Workshop: Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Vernissage: Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
Link: https://paalmtl.org/broder-ses-racines/
ÎLE-BIZARD-SAINTE-GENEVIÈVE
Société patrimoine et histoire de l’île Bizard et Sainte-Geneviève
Discover the life and epic of the log drivers with the exhibition Les vaillants Cageux
Address: 15848 Rue du Moulin, Sainte-Geneviève, QC H9H 1A6
Date and time: Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Link: https://www.sphib-sg.org
LACHINE
Musée de Lachine/Lachine Museum
Heritage tour of Old Lachine
Address: 1 Chem. du Musée, Lachine, QC H8S 4L9
Date and time: Saturday, May 11, at 2:00 p.m.
Link: https://montreal.ca/evenements/circuit-patrimonial-dans-le-vieux-lachine-67587
Description: The visit begins at Parc Ranger, in front of Maison Le Ber-Le Moyne, and ends at the west end of Promenade Père-Marquette. Duration: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Distance covered: 2.3 km (with breaks). The visit is free, but places are limited. Reserve by writing to museedelachine@montreal.ca
MERCIER-HOCHELAGA-MAISONNEUVE
Château Dufresne, musée et lieu historique patrimonial
Stained glass according to Nincheri | Mediation activity
Address: 2929 Jeanne d’Arc Avenue, Montréal, QC H1W 3W2
Date and time: Friday, May 10, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Link: www.chateaudufresne.com
NOTRE-DAME DE GRÂCE-CÔTE-DES-NEIGES
Holocaust Museum Montreal
Dimensions in Testimony workshop. “Dimensions in Testimony” revolutionizes the concept of oral history. Discover the interactive biography of Edith Maniker who was born on March 12th, 1931, in Leipzig, Germany. Places are limited please reserve your free spot.
Address: 5151 Ch. de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3W 1M6
Date and time: Sunday, May 12, at 1:00 p.m.
Link: https://museeholocauste.ca/fr/actualites-et-evenements/atelier-dimensions-in-testimony/
NOTRE-DAME-DE-GRÂCE-WESTMOUNT
The Canadian Heritage of Quebec
Open day at the Hurtubise Farmhouse, its barn and house (Circa 1739). One of the oldest farmhouses on Montreal Island, the Hurtubise House is a classified heritage site since 2004.
Address: 563 Chemin de la Côte-Saint-Antoine, Westmount, QC H3Y 2K5
Date and time: Saturday, May 11, to Sunday, May 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 13:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Link: https://hcq-chq.org/hurtubise-house-at-the-festival-dhistoire-de-montreal/
Visits only by reservation 48 hours in advance by email at: coord@hcq-chq.org
PLATEAU-MONT-ROYAL
Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal
Open Day: the Hospitallers’ Crypt.Did you know that Jeanne Mance’s tomb is located at the Hôtel-Dieu, under the Hospitallers’ old chapel? Accompanied by a Museum guide, enter in the Hospitallers’ crypt where 600 Hospitallers are buried.
Address: 201 Avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, QC H2W 1R6
Date and time: Saturday, May 11, to Sunday, May 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Link: https://museedeshospitalieres.qc.ca/
PLATEAU-MONT-ROYAL
Portrait Sonore
Windows on Avenue des Pins | Mediation Activity
Meeting point: At Chapelle de l’Hôtel-Dieu (crossing of Avenue des Pins and rue Sainte Famille).
Date and time: Saturday, May 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Link: https://www.portraitsonore.ca/accueil
Description: As part of the 4th edition of the Montreal History Festival, our team takes you to discover 13 fragments of stories along the avenue des Pins: Walking, sound immersion and discussions will be part of this free activity. Reservation required at portraitsonore@gmail.com.
Get a good set of headphones, download the Portrait Sonore app or bring your phone to scan the QR code of one of the 13 stations located between avenue du Parc and rue Saint-Denis. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.
PLATEAU-MONT-ROYAL
Société d’histoire du Plateau-Mont-Royal
Guided tour of the Documentation and Archives Centre. Come and discover the richness of this collection. The activity is free, but you must reserve as spots are limited to 10 people.
Address: 4450 Rue Saint-Hubert, local 419, Montréal, QC H2J 2W9
Dates et heures: Saturday, May 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Lien : www.histoireplateau.org
ROSEMONT-PETITE PATRIE
Mlle Galyna (certified guide Halyna Lykhoshva)
Guided tour with an Ukrainian: La Petite Ukraine à Montréal
Tour Start: Ukraine Park – Tour duration: 2 hours Price: $20 Language: French
The funds raised will be donated to the Aider UA Foundation.
Date and time: Friday, May 10, at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/mllegalyna.page
Description: Discover the history of Ukrainians in Montreal.
ROSEMONT- PETITE PATRIE
Société généalogique canadienne-française
Open day – Initiation to Genealogy
Address: 3440 Rue Davidson, Montréal, QC H1W 2Z5
Date and time: Saturday, May 11 to Sunday, May 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Link: https://sgcf.com/activites?cat=ZzlJV3N2STlPa3F1U0N1WkFsc3JWdz09
ROSEMONT-PETITE-PATRIE
Société d’histoire Rosemont-Petite-Patrie
Open days: Photo Exhibition on the Lafond Pioneer Family of Rosemont and Flea Market.
Address: 5442 6e Avenue, Montréal, QC H1Y 2P8
Date and time: Friday, May 10, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Link: www.histoirerpp.org
SUD-OUEST
Maison Saint-Gabriel, Museum and historic Site
Dating Wood: Introduction to Dendrochronology
Come join us as the Historical Dendrochronology Research Group of Université de Montréal reveals the results of a recent study it conducted. Together with the archeologist Alex Lefrançois-Leduc, discover the dendrochronology process, while exploring the places in the house where the specimens were taken.
Cost: $5 Registration required. Limited places.
Address: 2146 Place Dublin, Montréal, QC H3K 2A2
Date and time: Saturday, May 11, at 2:30 p.m.
Link: https://maisonsaintgabriel.ca/activites-musee/dendrochronologie-a-la-maison-saint-gabriel/
VERDUN
Maison Nivard-De Saint-Dizier, musée et site archéologique
5 500 years under the magnifying glass | Family Rally
Address: 7244 Boulevard LaSalle, Verdun, QC H4H 1R4
Date and time: Saturday, May 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Link: https://forms.office.com/r/yDzb7uctW7
Description : Your visit of Maison Nivard-De Saint-Dizier becomes a game with this rally for families. 8 years old minimum. In French. Registration required.
VERDUN
Maison Nivard-De Saint-Dizier, musée et site archéologique
Visite guidée de la Maison Nivard-De Saint-Dizier
Address: 7244 Boulevard LaSalle, Verdun, QC H4H 1R4
Date and time: Saturday, May 11, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Link: https://forms.office.com/r/ZDZK7Lv7hd
Description: Take advantage of this free guided tour to explore this place rich in history, appreciate the architecture of this 300-year-old house and discover a selection of archaeological artifacts unearthed in situ. Limited places. Registration required.
VILLE-MARIE
Afromusée, CIDIHCA et ARCMTL
Activity: Afro-Montreal Nightlife Pop-Up
As part of the 2024 Montreal History Festival, local heritage organizations CIDIHCA, Afromusée, and ARCMTL are joining forces to present this pop-up exhibit which dives deep into an often-overlooked aspect of Montreal History.
Address: 533 Ontario E., Montreal, QC H2L 1N8
Date and time: Saturday, May 11, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/886315829764806
VILLE-MARIE
Écomusée du fier monde
Guided Walking Tour: De Amherst à Atateken
Walking along Atateken Street means discovering the Centre-Sud district and a little bit of Montreal. The guided tour allows you to become familiar with its heritage, its history and its toponymy. The starting point is the old Généreux bath, witness to the time when workers’ housing had neither bath nor shower. Note: In case of rain, the activity is canceled and moved to Saturday, May 11, at 1:30 p.m. Reservation required.
Address: 2050 Rue Atateken, Montréal, QC H2L 3L8
Date and time: Friday, May 10, at 1:30 p.m.
Link: https://ecomusee.qc.ca/evenement/festival-dhistoire-de-montreal/
VILLE-MARIE
MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises
WOW! Montréal Signs at the MEM (Talk)
We did a lot of research to inform the content of our exhibitions. Looking at this research…Wow! We discovered previously unpublished archives, family photos and films, astonishing objects and touching witnesses.
Address: 1210 Boulevard Saint-Laurent Montréal, QC H2X 2S5
Date and time: Sunday, May 12, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Link: https://fb.me/e/z5Wesmi6F
VILLE-MARIE
McCord Stewart Museum
Guided tour of Our Ways: Peel Trail
On the occasion of the exhibition “Presence of the Past”, presented as part of the Contemporary Native Art Biennial (BACA), the Museum invites you to discover this artwork, in the presence of Kanien’kehá:ka artist MC Snow and non-Indigenous artist Kyra Revenko. It is displayed along Peel Street, in groups of two at eleven stations. The trail was designed following archaeological digs carried out there from 2016 to 2019, revealing the presence of an Iroquoian village before the arrival of the first European explorers. Free activity, limited places, reservation required.
Departure point: 690 Sherbrooke Street West, in front of the Museum
Date and time: Saturday, May 11, at 1:30 p.m. Length: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Link: https://www.musee-mccord-stewart.ca/en/activities/guided-tour-our-ways-peel-trail/
VILLE-MARIE
Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network (QAHN)
Walking Tour: “The McGill Campus: the Making of the University” with Montreal historian Rod MacLeod. This tour will help us imagine the critical transformation of this area and appreciate McGill’s role within the city’s built environment. Free tour, but the registration through RPAQ is mandatory.
Departure point: Just within the Roddick Gates, off Sherbrooke Street, at the head of McGill College Avenue
Length: 2.5 km / 2 hours
Language: English, with bilingual Q&A
Date and time: Saturday, May 11, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Link: 819-564-9595
VILLE-MARIE
Société historique de Montréal et Commission de la mémoire franco-québécoise
Activity: Cinq siècles de navigation transatlantique : France, Nouvelle-France et Québec
International Event. Please note that there are no mores places for this event.
Date and time: Friday, May 10, 2024
Link: https://societe-historique-de-montreal.s1.yapla.com/fr/event-51132
VIEUX-MONTRÉAL (VILLE MARIE)
Château Ramezay – Musée et site historique de Montréal
Conference by Benoît Grenier: “The astonishing survival of the seigneurial regime in Quebec since its abolition”
Address: 280 Rue Notre-Dame Est, Vieux-Montréal, QC H2Y 1C5
Date and time: Friday, May 10, at 1:30 p.m. In French.
Link: https://www.chateauramezay.qc.ca/fr/activites/activites-et-conferences/
VIEUX-MONTRÉAL (VILLE MARIE)
Château Ramezay – Musée et site historique de Montréal
Conference by Gilbert Desmarais: First Nations and the 1837-1838 Rebellion
Address: 280 Rue Notre-Dame Est, Vieux-Montréal, QC H2Y 1C5
Date and time: Saturday, May 11, at 1:30 p.m. In French.
Link: https://www.chateauramezay.qc.ca/fr/activites/activites-et-conferences/
VIEUX-MONTRÉAL (VILLE MARIE)
Guidatour
Walking tour of Old Montreal Vieux-Montréal (EAST or WEST circuit)
Starting point: South-West corner of Place d’Armes (intersection Notre-Dame O. et Place d’Armes) (Métro Place d’Armes)
Dates and time: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 10, 11 and 12, at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Link: https://guidatour.qc.ca/visites-publiques/visites-publiques-a-pied/vieux-montreal-est-et-ouest/
Description:Join a group and discover the main historical sites of Old Montreal in the company of a professional guide from Guidatour. Stroll the charming cobbled streets and winding alleys of the historic district which reveals all its rich heritage. PROMO CODE 20% off: FHM2024
VIEUX-MONTRÉAL
Name of organization:
Traditional Ghost Walk. Follow a storyteller and explore a completely different side of Old Montreal, its dark past. PROMO CODE 20% off: FHM2024
Departure point: Place Royale, Old-Montreal
Date and time: Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11, at 8:30 p.m.
Link: https://montrealghosts.com/public-tours/
VIEUX-MONTRÉAL (VILLE MARIE)
Sir George-Etienne Cartier National Historical Site
A taste of History | Tea Time at the Cartiers – Guided tours and degustations at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Address: 458 Rue Notre Dame E, Montréal, QC H2Y 1C8
Date and time: Saturday, May 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Link: https://parcs.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/etiennecartier/activ/calendrier-calendar
No reservation required. Enjoy this special opening for the Festival.
VIEUX-MONTRÉAL
Pointe-à-Callière, Cité d’archéologie et d’histoire de Montréal
A lecture and Discussion– The Morning Star with Jocelyn Sioui
Delve into the past to explore history that sheds light on the present. Jocelyn Sioui will reveal the history of Wenta’yeh’Tichion (the Morning Star) on the mountain of the island of Tiohtia:ke (Montréal).
Address: 350 Place Royale, angle de la Commune, Vieux-Montréal, QC H2Y 3Y5
Date and time: Friday, May 10, at 7:00 p.m.
Link: https://pacmusee.qc.ca/en/calendar/event/festival-hisoire-montreal-morning-star/
VIEUX-MONTRÉAL
Site historique Marguerite-Bourgeoys
The SHMB favorites! This 30-minute guided tour, led by our staff, will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. It will highlight treasures from our collection representing a variety of periods and themes, and will captivate history lovers and curious people in search of discoveries.
Address: 400 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montréal, QC H2Y 1H4
Date and time: Saturday, May 11, from 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Link: https://margueritebourgeoys.org/activites_speciales/
VIEUX-MONTRÉAL
Maison de Mère d’Youville (Sœurs grises de Montréal)
Come discover the former Montreal General Hospital (exhibition, family rally, free tour, presentation of archives)
Address: 138 Rue Saint-Pierre, Montréal (Québec) H2Y 2L7
Date and time: Friday, May 10, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Link: https://sgm.qc.ca/non-classifiee/festival-dhistoire-de-montreal/