Three can’t-miss exhibitions at the McCord Stewart Museum this summer

Glide into the world of costume balls

The Costume Balls: Dressing Up History, 1870–1927 exhibition takes you into the fascinating world of 19th-century costume balls and carnivals, symbols of exuberance and worldly entertainment. These lavish events featured a variety of spectacular and eccentric costumes. Featuring about 40 period costumes, as well as photographs, illustrations and archival objects, the exhibition reveals the significant role balls played in shaping core myths of colonial destiny and the future of the Empire. This in-depth look at the costumes and their historical context reveals untold secrets, offering a new perspective of the time period.

See Montreal through street photography

Since the advent of photography, Montreal photographers have been capturing slice-of-life moments in the city. The Pounding the Pavement: Montreal Street Photography exhibition showcases this tradition with more than 400 photos that retrace the history of street photography in Montreal, from the 19th century until today. Shot from different perspectives, the images are grouped into six themes including the public space, protest sites and assertions of collective identity. The exhibition highlights the city’s diversity and complexity, while paying tribute to those who have captured its unique character.

Check out the activities in Museum Alley

Montreal's back alleys are vital living spaces, meeting points and private areas. They echo with neighbourhood sounds, like children playing and people chatting. To bring the Montreal alleyway experience to life, the McCord Stewart Museum presents Museum Alley, a pedestrianized space accessible year-round that invites you to sit, linger and meet up. A nod to the neighbourhood’s alleyways, this space revives a unique Montreal tradition in the downtown area, while offering a moment of relaxation and wonder.