Name: Royal Ontario Museum
Address: 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6, Canada
Telephone: (416) 586-8000
Rating: 4.7

Sprawling natural history & world cultures galleries, plus dinosaur fossil skeletons.

Toronto's Urban Symphony: A Full-Day Exploration of Iconic Landmarks

Rogers Centre

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CN Tower

Scotiabank Arena

Hockey Hall of Fame

Nathan Phillips Square

Toronto Sign

Royal Ontario Museum

Hart House Building

University of Toronto

Casa Loma

Niagara Falls State Park

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

CF Toronto Eaton Centre

The Royal Ontario Museum originally had five main galleries: archaeology, geology, mineralogy, paleontology, and zoology.

Original Galleries

The Galleries of Africa: Nubia showcase the once-thriving civilization of Nubia in modern-day Sudan, known for being the first urban literate society in Africa south of the Sahara.

Ancient Civilization

The Gallery of the Bronze Age Aegean features over 100 objects from the Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean, and Geometric periods of Ancient Greece, dating back to 3200 BC.

Ancient Greek Artifacts

The Gallery of Greece boasts a collection of 1,500 artifacts spanning the Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods, including sculptures of gods, armor, and a coin collection.

Greek Collection

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a world-renowned institution dedicated to art, world culture, and natural history. Established in 1912, the ROM houses over 13 million items and 40 galleries, showcasing diverse collections that span civilizations and epochs.

The museum's natural history galleries are a treasure trove of specimens, including the largest collection of fossils from the Burgess Shale in British Columbia. Visitors can marvel at complete dinosaur skeletons, including Gordo, one of the most extensive Barosaurus exhibits in North America. The Willner Madge Gallery, Dawn of Life, delves into the evolution of life from billions of years ago, featuring fossils from renowned sites like the Mistaken Point in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The ROM's world culture galleries offer a captivating journey through human creativity and cultural heritage. The Shreyas and Mina Ajmera Gallery of Africa, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific showcases artifacts from indigenous cultures worldwide, including a shrunken head. The Sir Christopher Ondaatje South Asian Gallery displays intricate Indian subcontinent art, while the Wirth Gallery of the Middle East explores ancient civilizations from the Fertile Crescent.

The ROM's commitment to contemporary culture is evident in the Roloff Beny Gallery of the Institute for Contemporary Culture, which hosts thought-provoking exhibitions that connect modern art with the museum's natural and world collections. The Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity raises awareness about endangered species and the importance of conservation.

With its vast collections, engaging exhibits, and dedication to research and education, the Royal Ontario Museum stands as a beacon of cultural and scientific exploration, inspiring visitors to connect with the wonders of the natural world and human ingenuity.

Introduction

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, stands as a testament to architectural innovation and the harmonious integration of old and new. The Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, is a striking addition to the historic 1914 building. Its crystalline angles and glass facade create a luminous beacon that draws the eye from afar. The five interlocking prism structures, clad in aluminum and glass, symbolize the museum's diverse collections and its role as a hub for cultural exchange. The Welcome Project, a recent addition, extends the architectural vision beyond the museum walls, creating a harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor spaces. The project features a terrace garden, public seating, and restored stonework, enhancing the museum's connection to the surrounding urban landscape.

Architectural Landmark

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of interactive exhibits at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. The CIBC Discovery Gallery, designed for young explorers, invites you to engage with touchable artifacts, uncover dinosaur bones, and examine fossils and meteorites. The Patrick and Barbara Keenan Family Gallery of Hands-On Biodiversity transports you into an interactive realm where you can explore touchable specimens and learn about the intricate relationships within the living world. Engage with mossy frogs, a touchable shark jaw, and a replica fox's den, connecting you to the diversity and interdependence of nature. The Roloff Beny Gallery of the Institute for Contemporary Culture showcases thought-provoking exhibitions that blend contemporary art with the museum's vast collection, offering a unique perspective on cultural and societal issues.

Interactive Exhibits

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) stands as a beacon of educational excellence in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its diverse collections and innovative programs cater to students, educators, and lifelong learners alike. The ROM's interactive exhibits, such as the CIBC Discovery Gallery and the Patrick and Barbara Keenan Family Gallery of Hands-On Biodiversity, provide hands-on experiences that ignite curiosity and foster a love of learning. The museum's extensive research facilities and partnerships with universities offer unique opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge research projects. The ROM's commitment to accessibility extends to its educational programs, with initiatives like the Community Access Network providing free admission to underprivileged communities. Through its vast collection of artifacts, specimens, and artworks, the ROM serves as a living classroom, inspiring generations of learners to explore the wonders of the natural and cultural world.

Educational Institution

The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, houses one of the most extensive natural history collections in the world. With over 13 million specimens and 40 galleries, the museum's diverse collections contribute to its international reputation. The Natural History Department comprises one of the largest holdings of natural history specimens in Canada, recognized internationally for its strength in research areas where curators have specialized expertise. The museum actively studies the diversity, evolutionary relationships, distribution, and conservation of living species, researches and displays fossilized plants and animals from around the globe, and acquires and studies the finest examples of minerals, gems, meteorites, and rocks from our planet and solar system. The Natural History Collection includes over 1,181,000 plant specimens, 68,800 minerals and gems, 36,700 rocks and ores, 4,000 meteorites, 5,291,000 insects and arachnids, 80,500 reptiles and amphibians, 1,529,000 fishes, 471,400 invertebrate fossils, 1,265,000 invertebrates, 124,000 mammals, 592,200 fungi, 204,500 birds, and 125,400 vertebrate fossils. The museum's renowned research projects include the Blue Whale, Burgess Shale Projects, and Southern Alberta Dinosaur Project.

Natural History Collection

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto houses a remarkable Indigenous Art Collection, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists. The Daphne Cockwell Gallery, dedicated to First Peoples art and culture, features over 1,000 artifacts and contemporary works. Visitors can explore the history and traditions of Indigenous art through captivating exhibitions, including pieces by renowned artists such as Norval Morrisseau, Carl Beam, and Daphne Odjig. The ROM's commitment to Indigenous representation extends beyond the gallery, with Indigenous Knowledge Resource Teachers providing insights and facilitating meaningful conversations. The museum also actively collaborates with Indigenous communities to ensure the collection reflects diverse perspectives and fosters reconciliation.

Indigenous Art Collection

The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, boasts one of the world's finest collections of dinosaurs and fossils. Its centerpiece is the colossal Futalognkosaurus, a 100-foot-long sauropod dinosaur from Argentina, welcoming visitors in the main gallery. Nearby, two skeletal mounts of hadrosaurs, including a Prosaurolophus, showcase the museum's extensive collection of these duck-billed dinosaurs.

Ascend to the second floor to discover a treasure trove of Cretaceous period dinosaurs. The highlight is the diverse collection of horned dinosaurs, or ceratopsians, including a massive Chasmosaurus and a newly described Wendiceratops. Ceratopsian skulls are displayed at ground level, providing insights into their growth patterns.

Beyond the ceratopsians, the museum houses an impressive array of theropods, ranging from the colossal Tyrannosaurus rex to the diminutive Bambiraptor. A special exhibit, "Out of the Vaults," features Massospondylus, one of the earliest described dinosaurs, shedding light on its behavior through a clutch of eggs and hatchlings.

The Royal Ontario Museum's dinosaur collection extends beyond the Mesozoic era. Its prehistoric mammal gallery showcases a mammoth, a Teleoceras rhino, the "Irish Elk" Megaloceras, and the marine mammal Desmostylus. Among the large carnivores are a Smilodon and Arctodus, the giant short-faced bear. Smaller fossils include the early horse Hyracotherium and the ancient saber-tooth Dinictis.

With its world-class dinosaur collection, the Royal Ontario Museum is a must-visit destination for enthusiasts. Its galleries are adorned with natural light, highlighting the impressive specimens and providing a captivating experience for visitors.

Dinosaurs and Fossils

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a renowned institution that houses an impressive collection of contemporary art. The Roloff Beny Gallery of the Institute for Contemporary Culture (ICC) serves as the museum's primary exhibition space for contemporary art, showcasing thought-provoking and visually compelling installations. The ICC's exhibitions often explore the intersection of contemporary culture and events with the museum's natural and world collections, offering a unique perspective on the interplay between art and society.

One of the highlights of the ROM's contemporary art program is its focus on showcasing the work of Black Canadian artists. In 2018, the museum presented "Here We Are Here: Black Canadian Contemporary Art," featuring works by Sandra Brewster, Michèle Pearson Clarke, Sylvia D. Hamilton, Bushra Junaid, Charmaine Lurch, and Esmaa Mohamoud. This exhibition challenged viewers to think critically about the deep-rooted histories and enduring presence of Black Canadians, fostering a deeper understanding of Canada's diverse cultural landscape.

The ROM's commitment to contemporary art extends beyond its own collection. The museum actively collaborates with other institutions and organizations to present a wide range of contemporary art exhibitions. These partnerships allow the ROM to showcase a diverse array of artistic voices and perspectives, ensuring that visitors have access to the latest and most innovative contemporary art from around the world.

Whether you are an avid art enthusiast or simply curious about the contemporary art scene, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, offers a dynamic and engaging experience. With its focus on showcasing the work of Black Canadian artists, its collaborations with other institutions, and its commitment to presenting thought-provoking exhibitions, the ROM is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the vibrant world of contemporary art.

Contemporary Art Exhibitions

The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto houses one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of East Asian art outside of Asia. The museum's East Asian galleries span over 40,000 square feet and feature more than 35,000 objects from China, Japan, Korea, and South Asia. The Chinese collection is particularly noteworthy, with over 2,800 objects representing all periods of Chinese history, from the Neolithic period to the present day. The Japanese collection includes over 10,000 prints, paintings, and sculptures, while the Korean collection features approximately 260 objects, including ceramics, furniture, and metalwork. The South Asian collection geographically covers the countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, The Maldives, and the territory of Tibet. It includes Chinese archaeological materials, antiquities, and works of art that originated within today’s political boundary of the People’s Republic of China.

One of the highlights of the East Asian collection is the Bishop White Gallery of Chinese Temple Art, which contains three of the world's best-preserved temple wall paintings from the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). The Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Gallery of China features approximately 2,500 objects spanning almost 7,000 years of Chinese history, while the Matthews Family Court of Chinese Sculpture displays a wide variety of sculptures that span 2,000 years of Chinese sculptural art. The ROM Gallery of Chinese Architecture houses one of the largest collections of Chinese architectural artifacts outside of China and is the first gallery of Chinese architecture in North America.

The Royal Ontario Museum's East Asian art collection is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the art and culture of East Asia. The museum's curators are experts in their field and are always willing to share their knowledge with visitors. The museum also offers a variety of educational programs and events throughout the year, which provide opportunities to learn more about East Asian art and culture.

East Asian Art

The Royal Ontario Museum, a world-renowned institution in Toronto, Canada, houses an exceptional World Culture Collection that spans diverse regions and epochs. This collection, encompassing over 1,400 artifacts, offers a captivating journey through the artistic and cultural traditions of indigenous peoples from Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Oceania.

Among the highlights is the Shreyas and Mina Ajmera Gallery of Africa, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific, where visitors can marvel at ceremonial masks, intricate ceramics, and a preserved shrunken head. The Sir Christopher Ondaatje South Asian Gallery showcases a diverse array of decorative art, armor, and sculptures, representing over 5,000 years of Indian subcontinent history.

The museum's commitment to global representation extends to its collection of African art and artifacts, acquired by Reverend Dr. Richard Whitfield Large in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This collection, known as the "R. W. Large Collection," is particularly significant for its documentation and includes a wide range of Heiltsuk artifacts.

The Royal Ontario Museum's World Culture Collection offers a unique opportunity to explore the artistic expressions and cultural heritage of diverse societies around the world. Through its comprehensive and well-curated displays, the museum fosters a deeper understanding of global cultures and their contributions to human history.

World Culture Collection

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a world-renowned institution dedicated to the preservation and study of art, culture, and natural history. Its Conservation and Research department plays a pivotal role in ensuring the longevity and accessibility of the museum's vast collections.

ROM's conservators are highly skilled professionals who employ cutting-edge techniques to stabilize, restore, and preserve artifacts and specimens. They work closely with curators and researchers to assess the condition of objects, determine appropriate treatment methods, and ensure their long-term preservation. The department's state-of-the-art facilities include specialized laboratories for the conservation of paper, textiles, paintings, sculptures, and other materials.

Beyond conservation, ROM is a hub for groundbreaking research. Its scientists conduct field studies, analyze specimens, and collaborate with researchers worldwide to advance our understanding of the natural world and human history. The museum's extensive collections provide a rich resource for research, enabling scholars to explore topics ranging from biodiversity and climate change to the evolution of human societies.

ROM's commitment to Conservation and Research extends beyond its walls. The department offers educational programs, workshops, and internships to foster the next generation of conservators and researchers. It also collaborates with other institutions and organizations to promote best practices in conservation and share knowledge with the broader community.

Through its unwavering dedication to Conservation and Research, ROM ensures that its collections remain accessible and meaningful for generations to come. The museum's experts play a vital role in preserving our cultural and natural heritage, advancing scientific knowledge, and inspiring future generations of scholars and enthusiasts.

Conservation and Research

Delve into the captivating world of Ancient Egypt at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. As you step into the Egyptian galleries, you'll embark on a journey through time, exploring the legacy of one of the world's most remarkable civilizations.

The museum boasts an impressive collection of over 25,000 artifacts, with nearly 2,000 on display. Among the highlights is a remarkable life-size cast of Hatshepsut's Punt expedition, showcasing the vibrant colors and intricate details of ancient Egyptian art.

Don't miss the ceremonial stone knife, a stunning example of craftsmanship from the Late Predynastic period. Its gilt handle bears the name of King Djer, adding historical significance to its aesthetic beauty. The Stele of Neferher and Senet offers a glimpse into the afterlife beliefs of the First Intermediate Period, depicting the deceased couple with offerings and symbols of rebirth.

For a unique perspective on daily life, examine the beautifully carved wooden model of a calf's birth, highlighting the importance of animal husbandry in ancient Egypt. The Ceremonial macehead of King Khafre, with its intricate carvings, provides insights into the power and authority of the Old Kingdom pharaohs.

As you wander through the galleries, you'll encounter models reconstructing major sites like the Step Pyramid complex of Djoser and Mentuhotep II's mortuary temple. These models offer a tangible connection to the architectural marvels of ancient Egypt.

The Royal Ontario Museum's Ancient Egypt collection is a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration. Its diverse artifacts, from everyday objects to royal treasures, provide a comprehensive exploration of this fascinating civilization, inviting you to uncover its secrets and marvel at its enduring legacy.

Ancient Egypt

The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto houses a remarkable collection of Greek and Roman art, spanning centuries of artistic achievement. The Bronze Age Aegean Gallery showcases over 100 artifacts, including Cycladic vessels, Minoan ceramics, and Mycenaean artifacts. The Gallery of Greece boasts 1,500 pieces, featuring sculptures of gods, intricate armor, and an extensive coin collection.

The Mirkopoulos Curator of Ancient Greece and Rome oversees one of the largest collections of Greek art in North America, with over 7,000 objects. The collection includes a singular collection of Cycladic vessels and figurines, Minoan ceramics, Mycenaean artifacts, and one of the most complete collections of Greek coins in North America. The Ancient Roman collection boasts 20,000 objects and 40,000 coins, including marble portrait busts, encaustic mummy portraits, and marble figures.

The ROM's Greek and Roman art collection offers a comprehensive exploration of these ancient civilizations. From the delicate beauty of Cycladic figurines to the grandeur of Roman marble sculptures, the museum provides a captivating journey through the artistic achievements of the classical world.

Royal Ontario Museum

Did You Know?

Original Galleries

Ancient Civilization

Ancient Greek Artifacts

Greek Collection

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