Musée McCord

Description:

• Associated with McGill University, the McCord Museum of Canadian history showcases the eclectic -- and not infrequently eccentric -- collections of scores of benefactors from the 19th century through today. More than 16,600 costumes, 65,000 paintings, and 1,250,000 historical photographs documenting the history of Canada are rotated in and out of storage to be displayed. In general, expect to view furniture, clothing, china, silver, paintings, photographs, and folk art that reveal rural and urban life as it was lived by English-speaking immigrants of the past 3 centuries. A First Nations room displays portions of the museum's extensive collection of objects from Canada's Native population, including meticulous beadwork, baby carriers, and fishing implements. Exhibits are intelligently mounted, with texts in English and French. There's a popular café near the front entrance, and a shop that sells Native and Canadian arts and crafts, pottery, and more.

• © Frommer's 2012