Then in Now: McLennan-Redpath Over Time

Throughout the day-to-day of classes, studying, exams, and papers, it’s easy to forget that countless McGill students have walked these halls and gathered on this terrace over the course of the Library’s long history. This new series of digital collages incorporates contemporary photos with McGill Archives, and allows us to see plainly, what’s different, what’s the same, and how we’ve evolved.

The Library’s Bicentennial page highlights key milestones and includes a visual timeline to connect the dots. Though hairstyles and technologies have changed, the Library remains a pillar of McGill life, offering knowledge, discovery, community, and so much more. As a student recently said “The Library is the one place all students have in common”. It’s a unifier across McGill’s many different faculties.

Donors to the Library have the chance to help shape future collages like these by contributing to the reimagining of the McGill Library through The Fiat Lux Library Project. Gifts to the Library have an immediate impact, providing students with the tools they need to nurture their curiosity, achieve academic success, and go on to fulfilling careers. Learn more about Fiat Lux and the impact of giving to the Library here.

Special thank you to Digitization Administrator, Greg Houston for digitization, photography, and bringing this project to life.

Colour photograph of the McLennan-Redpath Terrace with an overlay of a black and white archival photo of the same location.
McGill University Archives PR015189
Colour photograph of a hallway in the Library with an overlay of a black and white archival photo of the same location and two Library staff members walking towards the camera.
McGill University Archives PR037992
Colour photograph of the McLennan-Redpath Terrace and Redpath Hall with an overlay of a black and white archival photo of the same location.
McGill University Archives PR037364
Colour photograph of the interior of the Redpath Library Building with an overlay of a black and white archival photo of the same location.
McGill University Archives PR037480
Colour photograph of the McLennan-Redpath Terrace with an overlay of a black and white archival photo of the same location.
McGill University Archives PR001305
Colour photograph of the McLennan-Redpath Terrace with an overlay of a black and white archival photo of the same location.
McGill University Archives PR023143

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