Collections
Monthly Archive: December coll
Visiting a Family Heirloom
The dagger was a wedding gift in recognition of the military traditions within the family of the donor, who then gave it to the museum in order to preserve this special object for future generations. In October 2010, his daughter contacted the museum about seeing this family heirloom and then returned with the next generation of family members in tow to revisit this meaningful piece. Because of her efforts, the museum now has a fuller history of her family’s connection to this artefact, which is now part of its permanent record. Written by Deepali Dewan
Empty Skies: Resurrecting the Passenger Pigeon Backdrop
![A passenger pigeon in front of the digitally-restored backdrop in the Empty Skies exhibit. Photo by Vincent Luk a passenger pigeon mounted specimen sits in the Empty skies exhibit in front of the digitally restored backdrop](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/2014-08-20_passengerpigeon_11-2.jpg?itok=mCFYzMQu)
A long time ago, in a ROM gallery quite different from today’s, there was a diorama that showcased a migrating flock of passenger pigeons....
To X-Ray an Egg: Behind the Scenes of Empty Skies
![Photo by Justine DiCesare the flashing sign in the x-ray lab glows white with red text that reads "x-ray room in operation, do not enter"](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/dsc_0037.jpg?itok=9bUpUb2A)
“That egg is approximately one hundred and forty-four years old,” says Brad Millen, a technician who works in the ROM’s Natural History collections. Suddenly the large speckled shell that sits in the palm of my hand feels just a little bit heavier. I feel the weight of its place in the world - it is the egg of a passenger pigeon, and its species has been extinct for a hundred years.
Empty Skies: Behind-the-Scenes - Recreating Passenger Pigeon Habitat
![ROM Artist Georgia Guenther gives a passenger pigeon one last visual inspection in her workshop. Photo by Vincent Luk ROM Artist Georgia Guenther gives a passenger pigeon mount a final check before installing it into the exhibit](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/2014-08-11_passengerpigeon_16_blog-16x9.jpg?itok=0HoaOxAG)
Come behind-the-scenes with environmental visual communication students/guest bloggers Justine DiCesare and Vincent Luk to take a look using photos and video to see how the flowers and scenery were created for the new exhibit: Empty Skies: The Passenger Pigeon Legacy.
Empty Skies: Who Are the Species At Risk?
![ROM Exhibit Preparator Bernard collects the Species At Risk that will be added to the Empty Skies exhibit. Photo by Vincent Luk A museum preparator collects the Species At Risk that will be added to the Empty Skies Passenger Pigeon exhibit](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/2014-07-31_passengerpigeon_01-2.jpg?itok=sWSPWDnY)
In the case across from the Passenger Pigeons in the new Empty Skies exhibit, eleven different Species At Risk birds are on display. But who are these species? What are their stories?
First Peek at Empty Skies: The Legacy of the Passenger Pigeon
![A pair of passenger pigeons sit ready to be added to the Empty Skies exhibit. Photo by Vincent Luk Stuffed passenger pigeons from the ROM collections sit on a table in the Gallery of Birds waiting to be installed in the new special exhibit](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/2014-08-19_passengerpigeon_01-2.jpg?itok=RDnB94WF)
The ROM's latest special exhibit, Empty Skies: The Legacy of the Passenger Pigeon swoops in this Saturday, August 23. Get an exclusive first glimpse at the behind-the-scenes of the exhibit being installed!
Conservation Intern Spotlight: Emily Ricketts
![Emily cleaning Neoclassical Chandelier with tools and supplies. Photos by Jaime Clifton-Ross Emily cleaning Neoclassical Chandelier with tools and supplies. Photos by Jaime Clifton-Ross](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/emily-conserving-chandelier.jpg?itok=URa8NPXL)
This spotlight post--featuring ROM conservation intern Emily Ricketts--highlights her background, shares her perspective on current artefact conservation practices, and discusses her treatment projects at the museum.
Origins of a Collection: A look at R.S. Williams' Historic Musical Instruments
![European Music Book. 1835. Detail. 913.4.171 European Music Book. Detail. 1835.](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/european-sheet-music.jpg?itok=7-52Wo8-)
Have you ever wondered how museums collect their treasured artefacts? You probably know that many objects are generously donated to such cultural centres. But do you know the story or the provenance (the record of origin and history of ownership) behind these objects? The ROM is full of interesting acquisition stories—many of which can be found in the Curatorial departments and the Library & Archives. This is just one…
Celebrate Canada Day with Maple Syrup!
![Maple Leaf Maple leaf on forest floor; http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maple_leaf.jpg#file](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/maple-leaf_1.jpg?itok=Y8Yig7wu)
In celebration of Canada Day and Canadian Heritage Week (July 1st - July 7th) this post will relfect on the rich heritage and history embedded within our maple leaf.
Sharing of Museum Biodiversity Data on the Web
![Map of the world.](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/gbif.jpg?itok=NEVJ94X_)
Learn about where you can find open source data from our biodiversity collections