ROM Kicks Off the New Year with ROM Winter Weekends

One child is admitted free with a paid adult, senior or student admission on weekends from January 10 – February 8, 2009

No better way to bring in the New Year than invite families to enjoy five ROM Winter Weekends at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) at a special discounted price. Every Saturday and Sunday from January 10 until February 8, 2009, one child (aged 4-14) is admitted free with each regular paying adult, senior or student. In addition to regular ROMkids Weekend programming, including dinosaur digs and other hands-on fun, visitors have the chance to explore the new Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth’s Treasures, featuring the largest lunar meteorite to ever go on public display and amazing gems and minerals from around the world.

“Cultural institutions are an essential part of a lively and creative city, providing families with an engaging and educational experience not far from home,” said William Thorsell, ROM Director and CEO. “Museums become even more important during challenging economic times. With this special discounted price, we want to ensure that every family has an opportunity to explore the Museum’s new galleries and exhibitions in the coming year.”

New Year’s Day and ROM for the Holidays

This year the ROM opens its doors for the first time on a New Year’s Day and has extended this special admission to include January 1st. New Year’s Day visitors can enjoy a special line-up of fun family-oriented activities during ROM for the Holidays, running from December 27, 2008 to January 4, 2009. Inspired by its Season of Gems program, including the Teck Suite of Galleries and The Nature of Diamonds exhibition, young visitors can mine for gems, pan for gold, make diamond tiaras and crowns, and participate in the Prospector’s Hunt for a chance to win a ROM family membership.

Please note that the Museum will close at 4 pm on December 24 and 31, 2008. ROM for the Holidays programming will finish early on New Year’s Eve.

Free Child Offer Details: No coupon necessary. Valid for one free child admission (aged 4 –14) with each regular paying adult, senior or student admission on December 20 – 21, 2008 and January 1, 2009. A $15 value. Offer does not apply to online purchases and is valid for walk-in ticket purchases only. Cannot be combined with other offers, including but not limited to; consignment tickets, vouchers or pre-purchased tickets.

A SEASON OF GEMS:

Opening December 20, 2008 the Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth’s Treasures showcases the ROM’s exceptional specimens of minerals, gems, rocks and meteorites, a collection among the finest in North America. Composed of the Vale Inco Limited Gallery of Minerals, the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Gallery and the Gallery of Gems and Gold, the fascinating displays are contextualized and illuminated by over 40 interactive e-label stations, compelling video exhibits and engrossing information on Canada’s mining industry. Featured among this permanent gallery is Light & Stone: Gems from the Collection of Michael Scott, showcasing over 200 specimens of precious stones, gem crystals, jewellery and gem artworks from a collection that has few rivals in the world, outside of the royal families. Continuing until March 22, 2009, The Nature of Diamonds, presented by De Beers Canada Inc., provides an in-depth examination of the diamond as a natural substance, digging into its geologic origins, how it is mined, its cultural significance in art, literature, and ornamentation, and its numerous uses in modern science and technology. Among the approximately 500 objects is the Incomparable Diamond; the third largest diamond ever recorded weighing an astonishing 407.48 carats.