The Musée de la civilisation in Quebec City is a provincial museum dedicated to exploring human identity and the cultural evolution of society. It was officially established on December 19, 1984, and opened to the public on October 19, 1988. Located in the historic district of Old Quebec near the Saint Lawrence River, the museum is housed in a building designed by the renowned architect Moshe Safdie. This structure is considered a masterpiece of contemporary architecture, noted for its seamless integration of historic buildings such as the 1751 Maison Estèbe and the former Banque de Paris. The design utilizes local materials like limestone, glass, and copper to blend with the urban landscape, while distinctive features like the spire and grand public staircases provide modern accents.
The museum's collections include over 225,000 objects covering ethnography, history, and art. A central focus is placed on the history of the province of Quebec and the Indigenous peoples of Canada. Among the primary permanent exhibitions is "This Is Our Story," which was developed in close collaboration with the eleven First Nations and Inuit nations of Quebec. It provides deep insight into the cultures, traditions, and contemporary realities of these communities. Another significant permanent exhibition is "Quebec, Differently Told," which explores the social development and collective identity of the Quebecois people.
In addition to its permanent installations, the museum regularly hosts rotating temporary exhibitions on global and local themes, often emphasizing interdisciplinary and interactive learning. The institution defines itself as a "museum of society," functioning not only as a repository for artifacts but as a forum for dialogue regarding social changes. With approximately 600,000 visitors annually, it is one of Canada's most visited museums and has received numerous national and international awards for architecture and museum excellence, including the Governor General's Award in Architecture in 1992.
