Hat Party at the Museum: Explorers for a day, memories for a lifetime!

For the past two years, the Hat Party program has offered children from immigrant backgrounds a captivating and discovery-filled way to celebrate their birthdays, thanks to the generous staff of the Museum and its Foundation who support our internal fundraising campaign. In collaboration with the Centre Social d’Aide aux Immigrants (CSAI), these parties have given children the opportunity to explore the Museum—an experience they might not have otherwise had the chance to enjoy.

For many families, the Hat Party was their first experience of a museum, as well as their introduction to the history of Indigenous nations in Quebec and Canada, showcased through the permanent exhibition Indigenous Voices of Today : Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience. This day was much more than just a birthday celebration—it helped forge connections between families from diverse backgrounds, in an environment that fosters learning and openness to others. 

Since the beginning of this initiative by the Museum’s Foundation, more than 70 children have had the chance to travel through time with a visit to the Museum, unleash their imagination during a workshop making beautiful, colourful hats, and enjoy sweet moments with their loved ones.

The Museum has received many positive comments from families, highlighting the impact of the activity and the joy it brings!

The Hat Party was a particularly innovative activity. According to feedback from both parents and children, they were delighted with the experience.

– Coordinator at CSAI

• Centre Social d’Aide aux Immigrants (CSAI) – for their involvement throughout the program and for the 44 staff members who helped make it all happen 
• Les Glaceurs ─ the Hat Party’s Sugar Partner, who delighted the children with their wonderful cupcakes

None of this would have been possible without the invaluable support of the staff members of the McCord Stewart Museum and its Foundation.