In 1922, the legislature of Quebec passed the Loi des musées de la province du Québec (English: Act Respecting Museums in the Province of Quebec), providing funding for the construction of museums throughout the province.[6] However, construction for the Gérard-Morisset Pavilion did not begin until 1928; the museum finally opened to the public in June 1933.[7] Initially, the institution served as an art, natural science museum, and provincial archive.[8][9]