From its inception in 1862, the Antiquarian and Numismatic Society began its collection with donations from Montrealers, including members of the Society itself. This collection is characterized by the richness,rarity and diversity of its pieces. Estimated at nearly 30,000 objects, it can be subdivided into several categories: manuscripts, printed material, numismatics, ethnology, works of art, prints, paintings, furniture, etc. which bear exceptional witness to our history.
This collection includes more than 2,000 drawings, prints, paintings and etchings representing Canadian landscapes and portraits of influential people in the history of our country. Most of the major artists who have worked in Montréal are represented.
Dr. George Selby c. 1810 Pastel by Gerrit Schipper Given by William Selby, 1895 © Château Ramezay - Hsitoric site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.554.2
Jacques Cartier (1491-1557) 1848 Oil on canvas by Théophile Hamel (1817-1870), after François Riss Given by the Richelieu and Ontario Navigation Company, 1897 © Château Ramezay - Historic site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1020
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) Late 18th Century Oil on canvas after original in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence (Italy). Probably influenced by 18th Century Italian school Given by James Morgan, 1907 © Château Ramezay - Historic site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1779
With over 2,700 objects, this collection spans from prehistory to the 20th century. It perfectly illustrates the daily life of Canadians and includes, among others, artefacts from important archaeological digs such as the Lanoraie and Dawson sites.
Teapot 20th Century Henry Birks & Sons, Montréal Anonymous donation © Château Ramezay - Historic site and Museum of Montréal 2000.62.58.1-4
Map of New France 1717 Printed paper Given by Henry James Tiffin © Château Ramezay - Historic site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1099
Farrar Jug Late 19th Century Stoneware Given by Marie-Hélène-Adelaïde Baby (born Berthelet), 1900 © Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1877
Automobile De Dion-Bouton 1898-1902 France Given by Ucal-Henri-Dandurand © Château Ramezay - Historic site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1894.1-4
Plate with Mackenzie Family Crest 18th Century Porcelain China, reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795) Anonymous donation © Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.4463
Penny-farthing 1870-1890 Wood and metal Anonymous donation © Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum od Montréal, 1996.3122
Cradle board 1805 Wood and leather Oka Purchase, 1929 © Château Ramezay - Historic site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1195
Stone tool Prehistoric chert, Labrador Given by James Roberston, 1931 © Château Ramezay - Historic site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1208
Pipe Tomahawk First half 19th Century Iron and wood Anonymous donation © Château Ramezay - Historic site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1216
From the Saint-Louis Cross to trade medals, this collection exceeds 8,000 items. It also includes numerous numismatic items from Canada and various countries.
Beaver Club Commemorative Medal, which belonged to Gabriel Côté 1796, Gold, Anonymous donation © Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1919
Felicitas Dominus Augustae Medal, 1693 Bronze by M. Mollart, Paris Anonymous donation © Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1219
Military Medal, Cross of St. Louis Early 18th Century Metal alloy ribbon France Given by Comtesse de Clermont-Tonnerre © Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1519
Ticket of Champlain & St. Lawrence Railroad Company 1857 Paper Montréal Anonymous donation © Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1906
With more than 13,000 titles, this collection includes many examples of Canadiana, novels, essays, old magazines and journals. The manuscript archive includes some 4,000 items, which are mostly kept at the Archives nationales du Québec in Montréal.
Prayer Book 18th Century Vellum, paper Pierre Maillard (1710-1762) Given by Lady Gouin, 1940 © Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1213
Plan of Fort Duquesne, 1754, Ink on paper Drawing by Captain Robert Stobo (1726-1770) Anonymous donation © Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1512
More than 2,000 photographs illustrate the daily lives of Montrealers. From the Notman Studios to the anonymous photographer, these documents are unique witnesses to the activities of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Postcard showing a group of snowshoers in winter Ink on cardboard Canada Anonymous donation © Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, 2000.21
Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine Jr. (1862-1867) 1867 Coloured photograph W. Notman Studio, Montréal Given by Alfred LaRocque, 1983 © Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.1468
The R100 airship at St. Hubert 1930 Photograph by E. L. Giroux Anonymous donation. © Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, 1998.2528
E. Morin, N. Rochatd and Ans. Lanerdière Photograph Anonymous donation © Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, 1998. 7435
The Château Ramezay's collections department is responsible for visually documenting the objects that are part of its collections. Its image bank includes black and white and color photographs, diachromes, 35 mm slides and digital images.
Digital offer
The Château offers the possibility of requesting a digital reproduction may it be for research purposes, for a publication or for personal use. The department also deals with releasing its objects from copyright issues for a more precise use.
Ask about the different formats and mounts available.
Take note that:
For information, please contact: Christine Brisson, Head - Collections and Exhibitions
The recent change in the digital collections management system of the Château Ramezay was made possible thanks to financial support from Canadian Heritage, through its Museums Assistance Program.
To make a donation of object, click here.
Christine Brisson, Head – Collections and Exhibitions collections@chateauramezay.qc.ca