Royal Ontario Museum
Ontario
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto, Ontario, is Canada's largest museum and one of North America's most significant cultural institutions. Established in 1912 and opened in 1914, it houses over 18 million artifacts and specimens across 40 diverse galleries. The museum blends art, world culture, and natural history, featuring collections ranging from dinosaur fossils and minerals to Canadian and European historical artifacts, as well as African, Near Eastern, and East Asian art. Notably, it holds the world's largest collection of Burgess Shale fossils. Its architecture has evolved through several expansions, including the award-winning Queen Elizabeth II Terrace Galleries. The museum maintains strong ties with the University of Toronto and serves as a major research institution. Visitors can explore permanent galleries and rotating exhibitions, participate in educational programs, and enjoy interactive tours and scavenger hunts. The ROM is conveniently accessible via the Museum subway station, which is themed after its collections, enhancing visitor experience.
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Tip: Visit on Third Tuesday nights for free admission and consider purchasing tickets online in advance to avoid queues. The museum offers discounts through CityPASS® for combined Toronto attractions. Plan your visit to include signature scavenger hunts and guided tours for a more engaging experience. The best visiting times are weekdays outside peak tourist seasons for a quieter experience.
Interesting facts
- •The ROM houses over 18 million artifacts and specimens, making it the largest museum in Canada.
- •It contains the world's largest collection of fossils from the Burgess Shale with over 150,000 specimens.
- •The Museum subway station in Toronto is named after the ROM and features decorations inspired by its collections.
- •The Queen Elizabeth II Terrace Galleries expansion won the Governor-General's Award in Architecture in 1984.
- •The museum attracts over one million visitors annually, making it Canada's most visited museum.
History
The Royal Ontario Museum was established on April 16, 1912, and opened in 1914, originally governed jointly by the Government of Ontario and the University of Toronto.
Its first building housed five separate museums focused on archaeology, paleontology, mineralogy, zoology, and geology.
The museum expanded in 1933 with a new east wing during the Great Depression, using local materials and labor.
In 1968, it became an independent Crown agency.
Significant expansions include the Queen Elizabeth II Terrace Galleries opened in 1984, which won architectural awards.
The McLaughlin Planetarium, once part of the museum, closed in 1995 due to budget cuts.
Place Guide
Dinosaur Gallery
Explore an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils and skeletons, showcasing prehistoric life and evolution.
Burgess Shale Fossil Collection
Home to the world's largest collection of Burgess Shale fossils, providing insight into early marine life from the Cambrian period.
Queen Elizabeth II Terrace Galleries1984
An architecturally acclaimed expansion featuring layered terraces and modern gallery spaces, opened in 1984 by Queen Elizabeth II.
World Cultures Galleries
Displays artifacts and art from African, Near Eastern, East Asian, Canadian, and European cultures, highlighting global diversity.
Contact
Phone: (416) 586-8000