Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Redpath Museum Ceiling
Soon, the Redpath Museum will close for major renovations to improve accessibility. The renovation project will meet key accessibility objectives for the 19th-century building while ensuring that its historical and architectural features are carefully protected and conserved.

For more information on the renovation project, click here.

 

 

Booking and Admission Fees

Do I need to buy tickets to visit the Museum?

For groups of 9 persons or less, admission to the Museum is by voluntary contribution. Suggested amounts can be found here.

Reservation in advance is required for groups of 10 participants or more.

How can I make a reservation for a group visit?

Reservations are required for all group visits. Please note that fees will apply ($12 per participant for guided tours and $7 per participant for non-guided tours, taxes included). For more details, or to make a reservation, click here.

Getting to the Museum and hours of operation

How can I get to the Museum?

The easiest way to get to the Redpath Museum is by public transit through the STM network. The Museum is close to the 24 – Sherbrooke and 144 – Pine Avenue bus stops and to the McGill or Peel Metro stations. Multiple stands are available on McTavish Street, Sherbrooke Street or Milton Street.

What are the Museum’s summer hours of operation?

The Museum is not air-conditioned and can get very hot, especially on summer afternoons. To prioritize the well-being of our visitors and provide them with a comfortable and safe museum experience, from July 4 to September 15, 2023, the Museum will be open Tuesday to Friday, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Where can I park my vehicle?

There is very limited parking available on the McGill campus.

Privately owned paying parking areas are available around the Museum and downtown:

  • 2001 McGill College Avenue, Place Mercantile (entrance on Victoria)
  • 2020 University Avenue (entrance on President Kennedy)
  • 1981 McGill College Avenue (entrance on President Kennedy)

Visitors Information

Does the Redpath Museum offer guided tours?

The Museum’s Learning services offer a wide variety of thematic tours, tailored to provide the best experience possible according to the age and interests of our visitors. We encourage visits by groups of all kinds, including camps, daycare centers, primary and secondary schools, CEGEPs, after-school groups, language schools, tour buses and special excursion groups.

Please consult our webpage for more details on our offer and to make your reservation!

Does the Redpath Museum organize special events?

Throughout the year, the museum organizes special events for everyone! To find out about upcoming events, click here.

How can I get involved with the Museum?

In addition to visiting the museum exhibits and attending its public programme's special events, you can also help out and support the museum in various ways. To find out more about student volunteering, opportunities for employment and donations, click here.

How can I stay informed about the Redpath Museum News?

You can stay informed about upcoming events and Redpath News about our collections and exhibits by subscribing to our newsletter.

How long does a visit usually take?

The length of a visit depends on the person and the exhibition chosen. We recommend that you plan to spend between 45 and 60 minutes.

What are some highlights from the collections?

Did you know that the Museum has the largest collection of dinosaur fossils and prehistoric flora in Quebec? From one of the earliest life forms on record, bacteria called stromatolites (from 3.5 billion years ago), to the end of the last ice age (about 12,000 years ago), our exhibits allow you to follow the evolution of life on Earth. Stop by to see our Gorgosaurus, who lived about 66-68 million years ago, or our Triceratops, who lived 66 million years ago.

The Redpath Museum also has one of the largest world cultures collections in Canada. The Museum houses the second-largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the country. We also have an important collection of Greek and Roman coins and objects, as well as items from many other cultures. From ancient Sudan to Japan and South America, our exhibits will take you on a journey across the cultural diversity of our shared planet.

Visitors Services

Are there dining options in the Museum?

Although there are no cafeteria or café services located in the Redpath Museum, our staff would be happy to provide directions to dining options in nearby buildings. A drinking fountain is available to visitors on the ground floor. Please note that only sealed water bottles are allowed and that it is not possible to bring food into the galleries.

Can I take pictures during my visit?

Yes, you can use a camera without a flash.

Does the Museum have a coat check?

A free unsupervised cloak rack is at the disposition of our visitors in the Museum’s Lobby. Please note that there is no locker and that visitors are responsible for their belongings.

How can I contact the Museum?

You can contact us by phone, from Tuesday to Friday, between 9:30 am and 2:20 pm, at 514-398-4861.

You can also send us an redpath.museum [at] mcgill.ca (email).

Is the Redpath air-conditioned?

The Museum is not air-conditioned and can get very hot, especially on summer afternoons.

Visitors are advised to take the necessary steps to stay hydrated during their visit. A drinking fountain is available to visitors on the ground floor, and sealed water bottles are permitted in the galleries. Kindly note that no other liquid is allowed.

The university is exploring potential upgrades, including one project, which still requires funding and approvals, that focuses on the installation of a new HVAC system.

Is there Wifi at the Museum?

Yes, guest internet access is free inside the Museum.

Is the Redpath wheelchair and stroller accessible?

Unfortunately, the Museum is not currently wheelchair or stroller accessible and is not equipped with escalators, elevators, or access ramps. The exhibits span three floors and are accessed by a staircase.

Land Acknowledgement

McGill University is on land which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations. We acknowledge and thank the diverse Indigenous peoples whose presence marks this territory on which peoples of the world now gather.

The Redpath Museum's director EDI statement.

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