McGill Redpath Museum

Figure 1: Dinosaur

My parents recently flew out to Montreal from California for their anniversary and to visit me. I was tasked with filling their days here with adventure and well, things to do. One afternoon they came and visited me on campus. My adviser and office mates had suggested I take them to McGill's Redpath Museum. I was quite surprised by the quality and scope of the exhibits there.

Figure 2: The old interior

The Redpath Museum was completed in 1882, making it the oldest museum building in Montreal. The museum originally housed the collection the Canadian natural scientist Sir William Dawson. The original intention was for the collections to be used by professors and students at McGill University. The museum's mission has since been broadened and is now a natural history museum open to the public.

The mineral collection housed at the museum is fantastic. It consists of over 20,000 specimens. The collection has been built up over the years with samples from around the globe. In addition to this display there is a collection of minerals and rocks of Quebec.There is also a wide collection of mammals and reptile skeletons and stuffed specimens. The centerpiece is the dinosaur skeleton. You won't be able to miss it as it dominates the museum.

Natural history not your thing? Redpath Museum has an extensive Egypt exhibit including three human mummies. The Egyptian exhibit definitely gets a lot of attention. There is a sarcophagus, and also a display detailing nondestructive and unobtrusive techniques of studying mummies.

Next time you're visiting Montreal, or the McGill area stop by the Redpath Museum. It's free (donations are welcomed) and has a world class display of natural history. Students, did I mention it was a great place to take your parents?

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