Crossroads Montréal

Entering the exhibition, visitors immediately recognize the value of this historical and archaeological site. The moment feels reverential: this is the founding site of Montreal — its heart centre. Visitors can wander freely through the site, which includes the authentic remains of the first Catholic cemetery in Ville-Marie, established in 1643, and the Royal Insurance building, which existed from 1861 to 1951.

The themes of the exhibition interpret the story of this site, from the archaeological artifacts found in situ, to the stories of First Nations, and the architecture of successive buildings. Together, these themes reveal the many occupations of the site and the city's urban growth.

The set design does more than just showcase the visible traces of the site and its successive occupation, it also preserves the site as an artifact. The design enhances the archaeological heritage while ensuring its long term integrity and conservation.

Creative solutions include projecting light onto the remains of the city and placing exhibition displays on floating surfaces that are detached from the remains. Located beneath the ground, the lighting offers a warm, soft, and theatrical environment, inviting visitors to easily wander through the heart of Montreal history and marvel in wonder at its evolution.

The exhibition's graphic concept makes use of solid masses and fluid lines to represent the historical and archaeological layers of this place. In harmony with the look-and-feel of the remains, the colour palette of the exhibition blends in with the remains on display. To further humanize and contextualize the remains, integrated illustrations and visuals throughout the exhibition are designed to catch the eye of visitors.

A wide variety of interactive and multimedia installations encourage visitors to make connections with the human stories associated with this place. At one station, visitors can gather together around a digital campfire where they meet First Nations elders, artists, and storytellers Stephen McComber (Haudenosaunee), Dominique Rankin (Anicinape), and Andrée Lévesque Sioui (Wendat). They share songs and stories in their native language, wrapping visitors in the spirit of the site.

Experiential moments invite visitors to get in touch with history through technological innovations that deepen their experience with the site’s history and culture in an immersive, emotional, and entertaining way.

To both engage and surprise visitors, GSM used contemporary technological means to create the experiences. Visitors can explore a map of the French city, dated around 1708, via a digital interactive that resembles a famous Web mapping platform (we will let you guess which one...). A video projection on the wall of Montreal's first Catholic cemetery evokes a funeral procession. Some contemporary stories are told in traditional First Nation languages to foster a sense of belonging. This contemporary approach lets visitors immerse themselves in the rich history of this place without reinterpreting it, and really experience the humanity in its history.

The exhibition is the result of recent historical and archaeological discoveries. An advisory committee made up of members of Indigenous communities, archaeologists, historians, and anthropologists guided the Museum through the development of its exhibition content. In addition to the 150 artefacts and objects on display, highlighted remains, light and sound projections, video animation, interactive stations, and works of art—including some by contemporary Indigenous artists—work together to create an active dialogue between the past and the present.