2050, rue Atateken

Bain Généreux and the Écomusée du Fier Monde: A Living Heritage in Montreal’s Centre-Sud

A historical building and regional curiosity, the Écomusée du Fier Monde today pays tribute to the working-class community of the Centre-Sud district, housed in a location that once served a very different purpose.

Located on the former Amherst Street, now rue Atateken, the museum occupies the Bain Généreux, a former public bath built in 1927 in the Saint-Jacques neighborhood. From the outside, the building immediately captures attention with its unique architectural details: a sculpted concrete face above the entrance, richly textured brickwork, and the original name still clearly inscribed on the facade.

At the start of the 20th century, the City of Montreal began constructing public baths to improve hygiene for working-class residents whose homes often lacked basic sanitation. In 1905, about 75% of households in certain areas had neither a bath nor a shower. Public baths helped reduce the use of rivers for bathing and limited public exposure to nudity. The Bain Généreux provided clean, private facilities year-round, and a live-in caretaker on the second floor ensured the site’s proper functioning.

Over time, the role of public baths evolved. In the 1940s, they began to serve as swimming pools, offering recreational activities like synchronized swimming, water polo, and competitive swimming. In 1956–1957, the facility was upgraded with spectator galleries. By the 1970s, it had become a training center for Montreal’s Olympic aquatic team. However, due to heating and plumbing issues, the building was closed in 1992.

In 1996, the Écomusée du Fier Monde, founded in 1980, moved into the premises. Today, the museum preserves much of the original architecture, including the vaulted ceilings, round windows, and the tiled pool—now emptied of water and repurposed as exhibition space.

The museum features two main areas. The second floor houses a permanent exhibition highlighting the working and industrial history of the local population, using photos, quotes, and artifacts to portray everyday life in the Centre-Sud neighborhood. The ground floor and former pool are used for temporary exhibits, often centered on local social issues, community stories, or artistic projects.

If you’re exploring the area, consider pairing your visit with a stroll through nearby Parc Lafontaine or a stop at the Gaston-Miron building, formerly Montreal’s central library. Across from the museum stands the imposing former Saint-Jacques Market, now home to a grocery store with upper floors converted into condominiums.

The Bain Généreux and the Écomusée du Fier Monde offer a unique window into the city’s social and architectural past—an essential stop for those interested in Montreal’s urban and working-class heritage.

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