Unearthing 75 years of Canadian history: Looking back, Thinking ahead

You are invited to witness the unveiling of a piece of Canadian history. A time capsule buried within the cornerstone of the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), McGill University 75 years ago, will be opened-up to reveal histories of an Institute that is a global leader in science and medicine.

The Montreal Neurological Institute, an internationally recognized landmark of Quebec and Canada, was founded by Dr. Wilder Penfield, with the vision of integrating research with clinical care benefiting patients and advancing scientific knowledge. This successful MNI model has become a template used world-wide.

The time capsule is being unlocked in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone. On October 6th 1933, McGill Principal Arthur Currie, Dr. Wilder Penfield, and a host of dignitaries attended an elaborate cornerstone ceremony on University Street, and thus began one of the greatest scientific and medical experiments in the history of Western medicine. Penfield's Great Experiment was conceptualized as follows:

Let us create an open research "corridor" from the patient's bedside to the scientist's lab bench. We will study the disease process with the most advanced methods, and using the new knowledge we acquire, return to the clinic with innovative diagnostic tools and therapies. Let us integrate, in a single physical location, the finest in patient care with state of the art neuroscience.

Date: September 29 2008

Time: 10:00 am

Place: Entrance of the Montreal Neurological Institute, 3801 University Street