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 takes visitors from the Aboriginal era to the present day. Visitors will delight in seeing our history unfold in all of its facets. Key themes such as the Reformation period and religious wars, the adventure of living in New France, the Enlightenment, navigation, maritime trade, industrial revolution, and the Patriots rebellion are all portrayed.

The focus is also on the history and heritage of St. Helen’s Island, an apt reflection of the Museum’s effort to bring together local, national and world history.

The exhibition has reserved a place of honour for the award-winning model displaying the fortifications of Montreal, with visitors treated to a one-of-a-kind interactive experience. The model, fully restored in 2011, features interactive technology that combines historical analysis with illustrations from the Stewart Museum collection. Visitors are now able to literally “touch” history.