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Monthly Archive: December Coll

Visiting a Family Heirloom

Posted: October 1, 2014 - 16:40 , by Deepali Dewan

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

Posted: September 18, 2014 - 22:41 , by ROM
a passenger pigeon mounted specimen sits in the Empty skies exhibit in front of the digitally restored backdrop

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

Posted: September 11, 2014 - 23:50 , by ROM
the flashing sign in the x-ray lab glows white with red text that reads "x-ray room in operation, do not enter"

“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

Posted: September 5, 2014 - 00:08 , by ROM
ROM Artist Georgia Guenther gives a passenger pigeon mount a final check before installing it into the exhibit

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?

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!

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.

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…

 

Celebrate Canada Day with Maple Syrup!

Posted: June 26, 2014 - 11:38 , by royal
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Maple leaf on forest floor; http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maple_leaf.jpg#file

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

Posted: June 5, 2014 - 11:50 , by royal
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Map of the world.

Learn about where you can find open source data from our biodiversity collections