Collections and Research

James Duncan, View of Montreal, about 1852-1856. Collection of May and Jack Cole donated by Barry Cole and Sylvie Plouffe, M2007.125.4 © McCord Museum
May and Jack Cole Collection
This collection donated by Barry Cole and Sylvie Plouffe was collected by May Cole. Ms. Cole was hired in the 1940s to decorate the Manoir Tadoussac with French Canadian furniture and prints and drawing of early Canadian subject matter. At the same time that she was acquiring material for the Manoir, she was in position to start her own.
Donated to the McCord Museum in 2007, the May and Jack Cole Collection was recognized by the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board as being of outstanding significance and national importance. Funds for the digitization were graciously donated by the Cole Foundation, Barry Cole and Sylvie Plouffe.