[5] On October 13, 1921, the McCord National Museum, as it was then called, moved to the former McGill Union building, designed by Percy Erskine Nobbs in the Arts and Crafts tradition.

In this collection, there are more than 7,300 historical indigenous objects, dating from the early 1800s to 1945 (clothing, accessories, headgear, domestic tools, baskets, hunting weaponry, etc.)

This collection of 27,000 garments and accessories consists of women's dresses, parasols, hats, fans and footwear, many created by some of Montreal's greatest 20th century designers.

[15] This collection, which total 340 linear meters, and 3,500 rare books includes manuscripts, correspondence, personal journals and other documents showing the history of Canada from the 18th century to the present.

The documents come from families (the Dessaulles, McCord, Armstrong-Deligny-Philips and Bacon families); from well-known individuals (Sir George-Étienne Cartier, Maurice-Régis Blondeau, Hélène Baillargeon Côté); from companies and associations (Women's Art Society of Montreal, Victoria Rifles of Canada, Gibb & Co.); and from collections (New France, British Empire, Concert and Theatre Programs, Valentines).

[16] The museum's exterior features the sculpture Totem urbain / histoire en dentelle, an allegorical representation of Montreal history, by Pierre Granche.