This is a museum based on the archeological site of Montreal which has been occupied for over 1,000 years and traces the history of "The First Peoples" (indigenous peoples) to the present day. It is also the place where the City of Montreal was founded.
One of my favorite facts from the Exhibit was about the wood and bark replica model of the First Peoples Longhouses in which the matrilineal generations of families lived-makes sense-right? Lots of people to care for children and family!
What is a Longhouse?
"The basic house type of northern Iroquoian peoples such as the Huron and Iroquois, the longhouse sheltered a number of families related through the female line. It was established throughout the Iroquoian area by the 12th century."
Source:
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/longhouse/
While the museum was educational for adults; however, it is more geared towards children and adolescents with interactive and "hands-on" exhibits. If I went back to see it again-I would ask for a docent tour.
The bottom floor (basement) is the actual archeological ruins of the structure with a cemetary and exhibits of artifacts on the history of the First Peoples and European Settlers.
What I liked the most was the initial film that is maybe 15-20 minutes in duration located in an auditorium with the archeological structure of the ruins of the walled area of the city below. The film gave a pictoral overview of the history of Montreal which was helpful to understand the waves of people who lived and settled in the city. The earphones allow (I believe) over 7 languages (or more) to listen to the film.
FYI-The artifacts from fish hooks, to arrowheads to beads were truly amazing to see in person-impressive that people had the skill set to make all of these things so long ago.