When Taylor Swift Came to Toronto, ROM Celebrated with its own "Eras Tour"

In the days leading up to Taylor Swift’s six-night run at the Rogers Centre, Toronto reimagined itself in her image. Downtown streets were renamed “Taylor Swift Way.” Bars served up Swiftie-themed cocktails like “Lavender Haze.” And ROM, Canada’s largest Museum, rolled out a new scavenger hunt inspired by the visiting goddess of pop.

Throughout November, the app-based game sent hundreds of Swifties on a two-hour journey through the Museum’s galleries spanning many civilizations and—wait for it—eras. One question had fans searching for Taylor Swift’s birthstone amid the glittering diamonds and jewellery in the Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth’s Treasures. Others used the artist’s lyrics as gateways into ROM’s vast collections. Plus, there were plenty of challenges too, including one that asked fans to snap of photo of themselves recreating one of Taylor Swift’s iconic album covers. 

“It was really fun,” said Beverly Bennet, who was visiting Toronto with her husband Jamie and daughter Nora to see the pop star in concert. “It finally got me through the Batcave,” she added, laughing.

For Melissa Johnson, who made the trip from Chatham, Ontario with her two daughters to see Taylor Swift, the scavenger hunt was the kind of educational activity that made her feel better about letting her kids skip class. 

“It was a great way to see a lot of stuff in the galleries,” Johnson said. (Although, of all the questions and challenges, she admitted her favourite was performing the Kendrick Lamar version of “Bad Blood.”) 

Diane Brownlee Smith, another Taylor Swift fan, had so much fun doing the scavenger hunt she sent ROM a message on Instagram. “It was one of the best times I’ve ever had at the ROM!” she wrote. “I spent time in exhibits I never go and look at.” 

Smith also had a request: “After Taylor mania is over, I wonder if there’s a chance you would release the clues. We didn’t get to half the places we needed to, and I would love to explore it all!”

So, in honour of Diane Brownlee Smith, and all the fans who played the game, here are all of ROM’s Taylor Swift scavenger hunt questions in one beautiful package. 

Enjoy.