From Old to New
The MEM has relocated from its former digs in Old Montréal to its brand-new location at the corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Saint Catherine Street West in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles.
“The museum doesn’t really present a ‘postcard’ image of the city,” says MEM Division Chief Annabelle Laliberté. “At the MEM we talk about the river and nature, gloss over places like the Olympic Stadium and the Orange Julep … Our main interest is the people who bring life and energy to the city.”
In other words, by sharing their stories, Montrealers recount the city’s history.
Adds Laliberté, “It’s also important to note that the museum is guided by the spirit of citizenship. Every decision is made by a committee, and citizen participation is encouraged at every level.”
Permanent installations
Upon entering the MEM, visitors will be dazzled by a selection of historic and iconic commercial and civic signs on loan from Concordia University’s Montreal Signs Project which has been rescuing and conserving classic Montreal signs since 2010. Among the many signs on display at the MEM are the giant neon sign of the St. James United Church and the restored Imperial Boots sign with its fully-functioning marquee lights.
Among the many permanent installations inside the museum are the 18 Shades of Gay rainbow balls created by renowned landscape architect Claude Cormier that hung in The Village from 2017 to 2019.
A large wing showcasing the MEM’s permanent collection will open in 2024.
There is also a superb café, gift shop and cabaret hall where various cultural activities and events are presented year-round.
Temporary exhibitions
The are currently two temporary exhibitions at the MEM:
Celebrating le Chaînon: Ninety Years of Devotion to Women is a free exhibition dedicated to Le Chaînon, an organization that has been helping Montréal women for nearly a century. Runs to January 2024.
Detours – Urban Experiences (paid admission) is an immersive exhibition presented in collaboration with Urbania which looks at Montréal through the eyes of 17 individuals and groups, with the Island of Montréal itself providing an 18th point of view. Runs to December 2025.
Visitor information
The MEM is accessible to people with limited mobility. The museum is closed on Mondays. For more info, click here.
