Exhibitions
Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site
Make the most of your visit to Montreal's only Victorian house open to the general public, and discover its four permanent exhibitions.
Most requested
Sir George-Étienne Cartier's home is the perfect place to learn about 19th-century bourgeois customs, the birth of modern Canada and the developments of its democratic model.
While the west side of the house presents the past through sumptuous rooms that have skilfully stood the test of time, the east side resonates with the present through three contemporary and stimulating exhibitions that promote position-taking, collaborating, dreaming and taking action.
Permanent exhibition: the rooms and objects from the Victorian house
The interior of the house on the west side has been faithfully restored to recreate the sumptuous bourgeois decor typical of the 1860s. The authentic artifacts and furniture arrangements create the cozy and intimate atmosphere sought by a privileged family from the 19th century.
This is where you'll find the main salon, the dining room, the tea room and Madame Cartier's bedroom, all of which you can visit at your own pace or, even better, in the company of a guide who will reveal many other secrets that you can't see at a glance.
Audience: for all ages, but aimed more at adultss
Languages offered: English and French
Location: on the first floor and second floor of the Victorian house on the west side
Accessibility: the house is accessible via a paved walkway and an 80 cm-wide door with automatic door opener. An interior ramp with a 13% gradient provides access to the house's ground floor, while an elevator provides access to the upper floors.
Permanent exhibition: State of Play
State of Play immerses visitors in the Confederation debates. The population movements and power games that gave birth to Canada are revealed in a fun and mysterious world of interactive games that combines mechanisms from the 19th century with today's digital tools.
In State of Play, strength lies in numbers. It is through collaboration, manoeuvring and taking a stand that the core message takes shape: the issues of Cartier's time are not confined to his era. They are still echoed in today's modern political reality.
Audience: for all ages
Languages offered: English and French
Location: on the first floor of the Victorian house on the east side
Accessibility: an interior ramp with a 13% gradient provides access to the house's ground floor, while an elevator provides access to the upper floors.
Permanent exhibition: Stories in Silver
Sir George-Étienne Cartier’s greatest moments are depicted on a massive silver centrepiece, gifted to him by his constituents for his accomplishments in 1863. More than just a decoration, the piece attests to Cartier’s political achievements as United Canada’s Prime Minister.
Embellished with numerous figures and symbols, the centrepiece bears witness to Sir George-Étienne Cartier’s personal and private life. An immersive visual projection lets you contemplate this magnificent piece of goldsmithery up close!
Audience: for all ages, but aimed more at adults
Languages offered: English and French
Location: on the second floor of the Victorian house on the west side
Accessibility: an elevator provides access to upper floors from the ground floor.
Permanent exhibition: Imagine a Country
How do you create a country? What type of government? Who would make decisions? Who would have a right to vote?
The people who played a part in the creation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867 each had a vision of what they thought this country should be. Since that time, Canadians have continued to shape this country through political and social involvement. They are agents of change: dreamers, activists, innovators, who roll up their sleeves and make things happen.
What about you? What would you like to make happen? Go ahead, imagine a country and dive into this exhibition created in collaboration with Samara Canada and Apathy is Boring.
Audience: for all ages, but aimed more at adults
Languages offered: English and French
Location: on the second floor of the Victorian house on the west side
Accessibilité : un ascenseur permet l'accès aux étages supérieurs depuis le rez-de-chaussée.
Share your vision
- Download the Imagine a Country (PDF, 414 Ko)
- Print the page that contains the sentence that inspires you and complete it
- Take a picture and share your vision on your social media, #ParksCanada
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Dans mon pays de rêve il y aurait...
Dans mon pays de rêve tout le monde pourrait...
Pour moi, le progrès c’est...
La première loi votée dans mon pays de rêve serait...
Dans mon pays rêve, une chose importante à conserver pour les générations futures serait...
Dans mon pays de rêve, la société protégerait...
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Dans mon pays de rêve, mon premier geste de conservation serait...
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