Redpath Museum Collections

Heritage

Interior of the Redpath Museum - Ron Levine

The Redpath Museum is a unique interdisciplinary unit within the Faculty of Science. It houses and displays large collections of ancient and modern organisms, minerals, and ethnological artifacts. At McGill University, it is the centre for teaching and research on the history and bio-diversity of the planet.

The Redpath Museum, one of the oldest museums in Canada, was opened in 1882 to preserve and display the valuable collections of Sir William Dawson, a noted Canadian natural scientist. It was intended that the museum and its contents be accessible to McGill professors and students, as well as to the public. For several years, McGill dramatically reduced public access and focused on its scientific research and teaching roles. In 1985 the doors of the Museum were opened once again to the general public, and major renovation of the museum has been undertaken in the past few years. With the newly-designed exhibition spaces, the collections are very well displayed to complement educational programs in the schools.