One of Canada’s largest, most prestigious, and oldest continuous museums is celebrating 100 years this week.
Janet Carding is Director and CEO of the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada’s largest city.
ListenThe Royal Ontario Museum or ROM as it’s commonly known, was built in 1912, but officially opened on March 19, 1914.
It is an “encylopaedic” museum, covering a wide range of historic, archeological, cultural, artistic, anthropological, and other areas of human and earth development.
It’s also big. An imposing structure when it was originally built, it has since grown in size, moving into other buildings and with additions, until it now occupies a large area in the heart of Toronto.
The ROM upon completion in 1912. Bloor Str is to the left. The area around has since become massively built up as the centre of Canada’s largest city. (Toronto ARchives fonds 1244) CLICK to ENLARGE
Janet Carding says the arrival of the technological era has enabled the many of its artifacts and displays to now be seen online by people around the world, who would otherwise not be able to visit the museum.
She also says as part of the centennial they will have also have an open house weekend to the “behind the scenes” aspect of the museum, on May 3-4
Also as part of the centennial, the ROM is developing a new entrance space for visitions, a biodiversity gardens & outdoor performance space, and a Gallery of Early Life which will change the way visitors learn about the most ancient living things.
the Matthews Family Court of Chinese Sculpture (ROM) CLICK to ENLARGE
During a ceremony to mark the anniversary on Thursday, Ms Cardiff said, “For one hundred years the ROM has connected visitors to their world and each other. Inspiring curiosity, sharing discoveries, leading ground-breaking research and connecting communities has always been our goal.
J&L Temerty Galleries of Age of Dinosaurs (ROM) CLICK to ENLARGE
She added, “What’s exciting is that alongside our galleries we now share research and collections with mobile technology, digital animation, interactivity and more.”
Ms Carding also points out that a museum as large as the ROM with so many visitors and so much work to do with artifacts and displays has survived and continues to thrive thanks to volunteers.
She says the ROM currently has over 1000 volunteers helping out, especially as technological requirements grow.
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