McCord 2019: Summer Program

McCord's Museum 2019 Summer Programming

On July 9, 2019, McCord Museum has unveiled its summer programming which is filled with the outdoor activities that not only focus on the Montreal's history but also supports the community spirit of thee present-days Montreal, presenting varied participating events for both young and old.

Montreal at Work

A new outdoor exhibition on McGill College Avenue

Until October 14

This is McCord's 14th open-air exhibition on McGill College Avenue, presented by BMO Bank of Montreal in conjunction with Astral. It offers passer-bys to step into the Montreal's 1900 - 1940s workplaces. This outdoors exhibit consists entirely of the Museum's enlarged photographs from its own collection. From William Notman’s famous photography studio to nurses at Hôtel-Dieu hospital as well as the busy workrooms at the Berliner Gramophone Company, the images show the concentration of Montreal’s economic activity in the area now known as the Ville-Marie borough. In addition to bringing the workforce of yesteryear to life, the photos recall the old-fashioned charm of the architecture, furniture, tools and clothing of the time, and reveal how the workplaces have now radically changed. 

Historic Walking Tours

90-minute guided tours

Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Until October 5

Returning this summer, these popular historic walks, accompanied by the Museum's guides, represent the way to discover three downtown iconic neighbourhoods:

Ville-Marie: Montreal’s Business District explores one of the city’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan areas, where churches stand alongside skyscrapers, shopping malls, cafés and major hotels, and nearly 500,000 people move through every day.

The Prestigious Golden Square Mile: Yesterday and Today covers the neighbourhood that has been synonymous with luxury since the 19th century: its lavish architecture, influential residents and businesses. The Museum’s MTL Urban Museum app provides additional information to round out your tour.

Saving an Iconic Neighbourhood: Milton Park, the surprising history behind the fascinating neighbourhood that is now home to many students. Nearly demolished in the 1970s, it was saved by citizen-led protests. It features a unique collection of buildings designed as large family homes in the 19th century. The route also takes you through McGill University campus, the focal point of the area.

Tour Reservations: here

MTL Urban Museum

Self-guided digital tours

Mobile app

The MTL Urban Museum tours on the McCord Museum app, offered in collaboration with Ivanhoé Cambridge, provide a unique opportunity to revisit the city’s history with historical walking tours using your smartphone.This year, there’s a new tour—McGill College: Where Change is Nothing New: revisit McGill College Avenue to relive its transformations through the years. From heritage buildings to modern high-rises, from Place Ville Marie to McGill University, this new outdoor tour retraces the history of this iconic avenue in Montreal through photographs, engravings and paintings from the Museum’s collection. There are four other tours, too: Shopping in the 19th and 20th Centuries, Ivanhoé Cambridge: Downtown and Old Montreal, The Golden Square Mile and The Art of Magic. You can download the app free of charge from the App Store.

Urban Forest

Until October 9

The Urban Forest has been reinvented again on Victoria Street, which has become a pedestrian mall for the occasion. Until October 9, this sunny seasonal park is open to anyone wishing to enjoy a picnic lunch and a rich array of activities developed around the Museum’s summer exhibitions, Sding K’awXangs—Haida: Supernatural Stories and The Polaroid Project: At the Intersection of Art and Technology. This year’s Urban Forest, designed once again by Paula Meijerink of WANTED Landscape, is yellow and white. All Urban Forest activities are free.

Here’s the program:

Morning Yoga

Tuesdays and Thursdays in July and August, 7:45–8:45 a.m.

The Art of Living Foundation and YogaTribes get your day started with yoga poses to facilitate concentration, relaxation, endurance and flexibility. Held at the Urban Forest, the morning yoga classes are open to all and give downtown passers-by a chance to start their day off gently. The activity is part of XP MTL’s programming.

Reservations: here

Unless otherwise indicated, yoga will be cancelled in case of rain.

Musique Nomade Concerts

Wednesdays in July and August, 12:30–1:30 p.m.

The Musique Nomade concerts invite you to discover the musical worlds of Indigenous artists from many different backgrounds. Nine artists and groups promise a varied program, from pop to folk, by way of country and electro: Sacred Wolf Singers, Laura Niquay, Angela Amarualik, Scott-Pien Picard, Backwater Township, Esther Pennell, VILDÁ, Anachnid amd Violent Ground. This musical programming is part of McCord’s International Year of Indigenous Languages offeringsm including the exhibitions Sding K’awXangs—Haida: Supernatural Stories and Hannah Claus’s there’s a reason for our connection.

Unless otherwise indicated, the concerts will be cancelled in case of rain.

Further information: here

Additional Activities

5@7 Pop-up

Wednesdays in July and August, 5–7 p.m.

Every Wednesday, the Museum and social innovation organization EXEKO offer get-togethers and discussions around the Museum’s photography collection.

Dance Performance—Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo

Wednesday, September 11, 12:30–1:30 p.m.

As part of the Festival Quartiers Danses, in the midst of the Urban Forest, discover the new creation of Mohawk dancer and choreographer Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo.

Public Pianos Play Jean-Pierre Ferland

Thursday, August 22, 12:30–1 p.m.

To mark the 85th birthday of Quebec master singer-songwriter Jean-Pierre Ferland, “Le petit roi” will be played on public pianos in Montreal and various other parts of Quebec.

Wapikoni Mobile’s Vélo Paradiso

Wednesday, August 28, 7:30–9 p.m.

Activate this projector bike to view an original selection of short films and video clips by Wapikoni Mobile and Musique nomade, selected by Indigenous guest curators. Marked by a desire to celebrate the diversity of contemporary Indigenous cultures and artistic expression, the screenings are followed by a discussion on the videos presented.

Outdoor screening. In case of inclement weather, the event will be postponed until Wednesday, September 4, at the same time.

Food Trucks

Wednesdays until October 9, noon–2 p.m.

At lunchtime every Wednesday, enjoy Musique Nomade concerts as a break from routine and have a bite to eat from a food truck.

Schedule subject to change, depending on the weather and food truck availability.

Click on images to enlarge them.

All photos courtesy @ McCord Museum

For more information on current exhibitions, visit the McCord Museum website