Royal Ontario Museum Blog

Monthly Archive: December

Empty Skies: Who Are the Species At Risk?

Posted: August 28, 2014 - 15:25 , by ROM
A museum preparator collects the Species At Risk that will be added to the Empty Skies Passenger Pigeon exhibit

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

Posted: August 21, 2014 - 23:02 , by ROM
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

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!

Biodiversity in the City: Toronto Biodiversity Series Launch

Posted: August 12, 2014 - 17:45 , by ROM
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A volunteer gathers a stack of Toronto Biodiversity Series books on a table

In summer 2014, the public was invited to the Evergreen Brickworks for the launch of the “Biodiversity Series of Toronto”. The four guidebooks highlighted at the event were “Mammals of Toronto”, “Spiders of Toronto”, “Reptiles and Amphibians of Toronto”, and “Butterflies of Toronto”.

A SILURIAN “SHARK” TALE

Posted: August 5, 2014 - 11:17 , by royal
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Illustration of Acanthodian

Road Ecology in Presqu'ile Provincial Park

Posted: July 25, 2014 - 14:20 , by ROM
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Sean with a snapping turtle

Conservation Intern Spotlight: Natasa Krsmanovic

Posted: July 25, 2014 - 10:01 , by royal
Natasa performing backing removal on an albumen photograph at her bench in the Queen’s conservation lab. Photo courtesy of Natasa Krsmanovic.

This spotlight post--featuring ROM paper conservation intern Natasa Krsmanovic--highlights her background, shares her perspective on current paper conservation practices, and discusses her treatment projects at the museum.

Conservation Intern Spotlight: Emily Ricketts

Posted: July 16, 2014 - 09:37 , by royal
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Emily cleaning Neoclassical Chandelier with tools and supplies. Photos by Jaime Clifton-Ross

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.

The Monastery of St Moses, Syria: The Cave Survey

Posted: July 11, 2014 - 12:20 , by Robert Mason
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This cave would have been a home for one of the monks of the Deir Mar Musa community, the wall at the front of the photograph shows that they had a small terrace outside the cave, either for a living area or for growing food.

The monastery at Deir Mar Musa would not have just comprised the main buildings, the monks would actually have been dispersed in hermitages across the landscape.

Nail Art: Then and Now

Posted: July 9, 2014 - 11:29 , by Amanda Girgis
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Empress Dowager Cixi, Image by Jung Chang

Women have grown, groomed and decorated their fingernails for over 5000 years – From the women of Ancient Egypt to the nail salon industry that flourished during the 80s and 90s, nail trends have had authority over beauty regimes across regions and eras. By the late 20th century manicured fingernails would become a sign of the leisure class among many different cultures.  Grooming your fingernails parallels the act of using cosmetics, it exhibits self-expression and character.

Origins of a Collection: A look at R.S. Williams' Historic Musical Instruments

Posted: July 7, 2014 - 12:42 , by royal
European Music Book. Detail. 1835.

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…