To house the collections, the Centre is equipped with mobile storage systems on rails, which maximizes space and favour the organisation of the artifacts in the storage rooms. Each object is classified and identified for an easy tracking. Every detail of his design has been thought: from the paint that covers the walls to the type of floors and from the ventilation system to the production of specific supports for each type of object. The architectural work of Pierre Thibault captivates by its sobriety and functionality.

Optimal storage room

The impressive 8,546 square meter building has eleven storage rooms, nine of which are housing the collections of the Musée de la civilisation. The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec occupies the other two rooms to store imposing dimensions art works.

A strict humidity and temperature control for each storage room, according to the materials they contain, ensure optimal conservation conditions.

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Cold room

Temperature: 10°C
Humidity: 50% (summer), 40% (winter)
Many objects are made of materials that are more susceptible to chemical deterioration or may pose an infestation risk. Objects made of organic materials like: rawhide, leather, sinew or porcupine quills are stored with objects made of rubber or plastic. Over one third of the Aboriginal collections are kept in this room.

Wax heads, cold room
Musée de la civilisation, photo: Jessy Bernier - Perspective Photo, a035_relv14_0012

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Storage room for large objects made of composite materials

Temperature: 21°C
Humidity: 55% (summer), 40% (winter)
Objects are often made of a variety of materials. This is the case for several pieces of furniture, printing equipment, machinery, looms, pianos, household appliances and transportation related items.

Room for large objects made of composite materials
Musée de la civilisation, photo: Jessy Bernier - Perspective Photo, a035_relv14_0021

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Storage room for small objects made of composite materials

Temperature: 21°C
Humidity: 55% (summer), 40% (winter)
The largest storage room is ironically where the smallest objects are kept. It holds Scientific and musical instruments, Inuit sculptures, material associated with trades and professions, crockery, communication devices, toys, religious statues, Christmas ornaments, folk art and firearms are all stored together in that room.

Room for small objects made of composite materials
Musée de la civilisation, photo: Jessy Bernier - Perspective Photo, a035_relv14_0064

Storage room for wooden furniture

Temperature: 21°C
Humidity: 55% (summer), 40% (winter)
The furniture stored in this room covers all periods of Québec's history, particularly from the 17^th century to the 1960s, with examples from New France to those of the École du meuble (furniture-making school).

Room for the wooden furniture
Musée de la civilisation, photo: Jessy Bernier - Perspective Photo, a035_relv14_0018

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Storage room for small wooden objects

Temperature: 21°C
Humidity: 55% (summer), 40% (winter)
Other than small pieces of furniture, this storage room contains traditional toys and a collection of commercial signs. The latter provides a glimpse into social history, lifestyles and trades.

Room for the small wooden objects
Musée de la civilisation, photo: Jessy Bernier - Perspective Photo, a035_relv14_0071

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Storage room for paintings

Temperature: 21°C
Humidity: 55% (summer), 40% (winter)
Among the easels are remarkable paintings from Quebec Seminary. Many of them had a profound influence on artists Joseph Légaré, Antoine Plamondon, Théophile Hamel and Marc-Aurèle de Foy Suzor-Coté. Along with these works from past centuries there is folk art, paintings by Sister Marie-de-l'Eucharistie of the Sisters of Charity of Québec as well as contemporary works of art donated by Janine Carreau.

Room for paintings
Musée de la civilisation, photo: Jessy Bernier, a035_relv14_0026

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Storage room for textiles

Temperature: 21°C
Humidity: 55% (summer), 40% (winter)
Textiles are always extremely sensitive to humidity and light. Heavy church vestments are kept in specialized storage units. Lighter garments are hung on padded coat hangers and put in unbleached cotton garment bags; others are kept in drawers. Quilts and rugs are carefully preserved on large rolls.

Room for textiles
Musée de la civilisation, photo: Jessy Bernier - Perspective Photo, a035_relv14_0034

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Storage room for taxidermic specimens

Temperature: 18°C
Humidity: 50% (summer), 40% (winter)
Mainly featuring specimens from the 19^th century, this collection is extremely fragile. This storage room is cooler and has an independent ventilation system.

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Storage room for metals

Temperature: 21°C
Humidity: 38% (summer and winter)
To prevent corrosion, jewelry, silverware, ironwork and gold objects are kept in a low-humidity storage room with an independent ventilation system. Tableware made of silver is put in special bags, and religious silverware is locked in cabinets. Some Inuit sculptures are also kept in this storage room since they contain pyrite, which could cause the stone to crack if humidity level is too high.

Iron gibbet preserved in the Room for metals
Musée de la civilisation, transfert du Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachussetts, donation of David P. Kimball, 1899, photographer : Julien Auger - Icône, 2015-59-1