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Behind the Camera: ROM Images creation
Thanks to the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival the month of May is all about photography and the ROM’s very own Senior Photographer Brian Boyle is taking this to heart! Brian will be on hand at Friday Night Live, May 10 demonstrating camera equipment and sharing his expertise with visitors
Behind the Scenes at the #ROMGameJam
What would happen if you rounded up some of the best creative talent in game development, set them free in the ROM for a weekend, and asked them to create digital games that would bring the past to life? The Royal Ontario Museum, University of Toronto, and Gamercamp teamed up to find out. Over 21
Behind the scenes in New World Archaeology with April Hawkins
Yesterday, New World Archaeology collections technician April Hawkins was cleaning on top of one of the collections cabinets in the storage room when she found something out of place. Here's a video with April explaining her find: So with the help of social media April was able to solve the
Behind the Scenes: What the ROM is Doing this Afternoon
By Deirdre Leowinata (B.Sc. Biology and EVC student) When you think of someone who works in a museum, the first (and possibly the only) thing that comes to mind is a curator. Maybe a security guard, maybe a tour guide, but usually it’s not much more than that. Little you may know, museums are
Behind-the-scenes with OKCHF researchers and the ROM's Korean collection
In the summer of 2015 the ROM’s Department of World Cultures hosted a team of Korean researchers from the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation (OKCHF). In August 2016 the OKCHF project team will be returning to the ROM for the second half of this two part assignment in order to finish
Belle découverte dans les schistes de Burgess: un ver oscillant sur ses « pattes »
By Jean-Bernard Caron, Conservateur principal de paléontologie des invertébrés, Musée royal de l’Ontario Le ROM annonce aujourd’hui la découverte d’une espèce étonnante sur le site mondialement connu des schistes de Burgess dans le Parc national Yoho. La créature a été baptisée
Ben & Bruno’s Excellent Trilobite Adventure
Curatorial staff in attendance at the ROM’s popular bimonthly Rock, Gem, Mineral, Fossil, and Meteorite Identification Clinics are routinely treated to a fascinating array of objects brought in by an equally fascinating cross-section of our museum visitors. From very junior geologists clutching
Beneath the Surface: Photographing at the Edge of Imagination
Guest Blog written by Environmental Visual Communication student Sam Rose Phillips Walking through the ROM’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) exhibition is a powerful experience. Backlit photograph after backlit photograph, we are immersed within and invited into the most stunning moments,
Better than Saturday morning cartoons
One-year-old Peter likes looking at the paper with his parents on Saturday mornings (or better yet, ripping it apart, says his dad). This past weekend he went straight for the latest copy of Let’s ROM and started flipping through it with a look of intense concentration on his face. The ROM’s
BioBlitz at the Edge of Beringia
Blog by Stacey Lee Kerr, Biodiversity Storyteller / Creative Producer for the ROM's Centre for Biodiversity There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the men who moil for gold; The Arctic trails have their secret tales That would make your blood run cold;-
BioBlitz Bits- A Tale of Two Bugs
Blog by ROM Entomology Technician Antonia Guidotti This is the third installment of our "BioBlitz Bits" Series- ROM scientists share their favourite stories from past Ontario BioBlitz events WIth so many species of insects around the world, it’s incredible how many you can find so close
BioBlitz Bits- Elusive At-Risk Birds
Blog by ROM Assistant Curator of Vertebrate Palaeontology Kevin Seymour This is the fourth installment of our "BioBlitz Bits" Series- ROM scientists share their favourite stories from past Ontario BioBlitz events The 2015 Ontario BioBlitz is this weekend, from June 13th to 14th, and our
BioBlitz Bits- Fungi Findings
Blog by ROM Senior Curator of Mycology, Jean-Marc Moncalvo This is the second installment of our "BioBlitz Bits" Series- ROM scientists share their favourite stories from past Ontario BioBlitz events I have been a part of the fungi team for the Ontario BioBlitz program since its first
BioBlitz Bits- Night of the Newts and Salamanders
Blog by ROM Herpetology Technician Amy Lathrop This is the first of our "BioBlitz Bits" Series- ROM scientists share their favourite stories from past Ontario BioBlitz events My favourite moment from last year's Ontario BioBlitz in the Humber River Watershed would have to when me and
BioBlitz Bits: Liking Lichen
Guest Blog written by 2015 Environmental Visual Communication student Austin Miller and Lichenologist Dr. Troy McMullin of the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario (BIO) During the 2015 Ontario BioBlitz in the Don Watershed, I had the pleasure of spending a day with Dr. Troy McMullin, a
BioBlitz Bits: The Bat Pack at Baker's Woods
Guest blog written by 2015 Environmental Visual Communication student Kendra Marjerrison It squeaked surprisingly loud and squirmed around in the light of our headlamps, looking for a way out. The young BioBlitz participants moved in closer for a better look; this was not something you could see
Biodiversity in the City: Toronto Biodiversity Series Launch
Guest blog written by Environmental Visual Communication student Justine DiCesare Earlier this summer, 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”,
Biodiversity Series wins award!
Last week, the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects recognized the City of Toronto Biodiversity Series of booklets with their Service to the Environment award. The award is “In recognition of the recipient’s ongoing contribution in supporting sensitive, sustainable stewardship of the
Biodiversity: It's in Our Nature Announcement
On Monday afternoon, on behalf of the ROM, Janet Carding was pleased to welcome The Honourable Michael Gravelle, Minister of Natural Resources, for the announcement of Biodiversity: It's in Our Nature, the Ontario government’s new biodiversity plan. In addition to various government
Birds in your Backyard, by guest and ROM Biodiversity friend Jill Cooper
Taken on a trail at Lynde Shores Conservation Area (near Whitby, Ontario), earlier in March 2013, my fiancee and I were incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to not only see, but capture a photograph of a Northern Saw-Whet Owl. Notoriously hard to spot, this tiny owl was resting on a low
Blue Whale Research
Scientific study and preservation continue for the ROM’s Blue Whale Guest blog by Jacqueline Miller, Mammalian Technician The blue whale is the largest animal known to have ever lived. What are the advantages to being so large? What are the disadvantages? There are advantages to being large,
Blue Whale Update
Blue Whale Update Last spring, a team from the ROM, including deputy director, Mark Engstrom, and assistant curator, Burton Lim, helped salvage one of two blue whales that had died in the Gulf of St. Lawrence ice pack and washed ashore on the west coast of Newfoundland. This recovery project
Blue Whale Update: A Whole Lotta Heart
Guest Blog written by 2015 Environmental Visual Communication student Sam Rose Phillips I smelt it before I saw it. Following my nose to what can only be oddly described as the smell of farm mixed with wet dog food, all was confirmed when the stench lead to a Jacuzzi-sized stainless steel tank.
Blue Whale Update: From Trenton with Love
It’s that time of year where many of us are pretty focused on the holidays. Spending time with family and friends, baking and eating loads of treats, and- let’s be honest- the gifts. Finding them, buying them, wrapping them, and getting them to where they need to go, whether the destination is
Blue Whale Update: Where is it Now?
Guest Blog Posting by Environmental Visual Communication (EVC) student, Nila Sivatheesan The infamous blue whales made headlines in May 2014 as it washed up on the shores of Rocky Harbour and Trout River, Newfoundland and Labrador. Pictures of the whales went viral across social media, as locals
Bobdownsite; an honour to honour
Bobdownsite. I was lead author on a manuscript recently describing a new mineral called bobdownsite, ideally Ca 9 Mg(PO 4) 6 (PO 3 F), from the Big Fish River, Yukon Territory. The ROM has been very involved in describing rare minerals from this region for over 40 years. Al Kulan and associate
BREAKING: Royal Ontario Museum to recover two rare Northwest Atlantic blue whales
ROM Biodiversity will send a crew to salvage two blue whales that washed ashore on the coast of Newfoundland last week. These unfortunate deaths due to unusual ice formations in the ocean are an unprecedented opportunity to study one of the more endangered species of marine mammals. We have only
Bring on the Welcoming Committee: Doni the Komodo Dragon is Here
Visitors to the ROM are used to a warm welcome, and Doni the Komodo Dragon was no exception. His long-anticipated arrival meant that a celebration was in order. Many of the volunteers that worked on the Komodo Dragon project as well as some special ROM members joined staff from the Toronto Zoo and
Bringing the Streets to Life: ROM Walk- Amanda Hunter
authored by Amanda Hunter I am usually on my way from “A to B,” concerned with the destination and too busy for the journey. Like all young Torontonians I happen to have an incredible ability for spontaneity; when extra time shows its face we take it before it’s too late. Sunday afternoon led
Bublcam visits the ROM
Over the last few months you may have seen us around the Museum with the team from Bubl Technology, especially if you were at our ROM Speaks event on March 31st. The team at bubl Technology have set out to make Google Streetview technology available for everyone. The camera is roughly the size of
Bug Hunting with Bed Sheets
Normal
Bugs are moving in (not bed bugs this time)
Question: It’s fall, why are all these bugs coming into my home? I’ve never seen them before! Western conifer seed bug; copyright ROM images At this time of year, this is one of the most common insects that you might run into. They are relatively new to our fauna since they were not found in
Building Blocks of the ROM
Submitted by Vincent Vertolli, Assistant Curator Geology Opened in 1933, the addition facing Queen's Park features materials found in Ontario quarries. The Rotunda part of the familiar west wing of the ROM facing Queen’s Park Drive was, for many years, the main Entrance Hall. For countless
Burgess Shale fossil site reveals oldest evidence of brood care
Waptia fieldensis research shows parenting has a long history (508 million years) Brood care, where the adult carries its eggs or juveniles to help increase their survival, was an important evolutionary step. However, little is known about how and when this strategy began. New research published
Burton and Isabelle Pipistrelle are out of the Bat Cave and on Book Shelves!
Imagine you were a Pipistrelle Bat living in the ROM’s bat cave and one night, when all the lights went out, you snuck out of the cave to explore the wonderful galleries of the Museum. What would you want to see? Where would you go first? Need a little help boosting your imagination? Check out
Butterflies
Spring. You can smell it in the air, or so they say. Spring still feels like such a long way away. To celebrate the vernal equinox, I felt that it would be appropriate to talk about butterflies, and specifically, the butterflies we see here in Ontario. This spring, the ROM will publish the fifth
Calindoea trifascialis du Vietnam, une chenille sauteuse?
Kim Humphreys, auteure principale, qui a fait un stage au ROM pendant ses études supérieures, et moi avons récemment publié dans la revue Biology Letters un article où nous décrivons le comportement fascinant de Calindoea trifascialis. Vivant dans les forêts ouvertes, chaudes et sèches du
Call To Toronto Artists!
Are you a professional artist who is passionate about Toronto heritage and museums? Would you welcome the opportunity to showcase your art at the ROM? Well look no further! The ROM is excited to announce a recent partnership with the Toronto Arts Council! Together with select historic sites, the
CANADA 150 – Newfoundland and Labrador – Sarah Savarey Hat Box
I’m starting my Canada 150 blogging project in Newfoundland and Labrador. Why? To start, it is the province that lies geographically furthest east, and moving east to west is an easy organizational structure. More deeply, Newfoundland and Labrador was one of the last provinces to join
CANADA 150 – Ontario – Crokinole Board
One of my favourite objects in the Canadian Decorative Arts Collection is the crokinole board. The board at the ROM dates from 1890-1910 and was made by the Schultz Brothers in Brantford, Ontario. It is oak, with painted wood details. The set contains all 24 pieces. The board was donated by
CANADA 150 – What We Make and What We’re Made Of
Hi! I'm Heather Read, the Rebanks Postdoctoral Fellow in Canadian Decorative Arts. In honour of Canada’s 150 th anniversary of Confederation, I’ll be writing a blog series this year highlighting interesting objects from the Canadian Decorative Arts Collection at the Royal Ontario Museum.
CANADA 150- Manitoba- The Manitoba Glass Company (and narrative gaps)
I am researching and writing about the Canadian Decorative Arts Collection at the Royal Ontario Museum, so it is easy to assume there would be some level of representation of the entire country in the collection. However, by representativeness, the collection is bounded by the early donations and
CANADA 150- New Brunswick- Deichmann Pottery
It can be pretty common in rural parts of Canada to find a pottery studio. Lots of Ontario cottagers have favorite potters that they visit in their cottage community. Many of the Gulf Islands in BC have at least one resident potter. Quebec has a hugely successful pottery show that draws in
CANADA 150- Newfoundland and Labrador- Michael Massie Teapot
My second object from Newfoundland and Labrador is a contemporary piece by silversmith Michael Massie. It is a teapot, mimicking the shape of an ulu knife, with etched designs on the silver body of the pot. The handle is made of bloodwood. Massie is a contemporary Canadian artist who was born
CANADA 150- Nova Scotia – Amos Pewter
Mahone Bay is a beautiful town just south of Halifax, on the eastern shore of Nova Scotia. I stopped there on a holiday with my family this summer, and was charmed by the sheltered harbour, the tall trees, and the lovely shops. It was a perfect place to stretch our legs and eat some ice cream. When
CANADA 150- Nova Scotia – Black rag doll
The Canadian Decorative Arts section of the Royal Ontario Museum has a reasonable doll collection, featuring both folk and commercially made dolls. Primarily the dolls represent the backgrounds of Anglophone and Francophone early Canadian settlers, like this handmade dancing doll from Quebec, and
CANADA 150- Ontario- Blue Mountain Pottery
My grandmother gave my mother some Blue Mountain Pottery candlesticks one Christmas during my childhood. I was old enough to remember it, so I was probably at least 7 or 8 years old. My mother was very excited by the gift, and the candlesticks quickly became a fixture on one of the most prominent
CANADA 150- Ontario- Clay
I have twenty vessels and one small tile in my office right now that are a little bit mysterious. Most of them are made of clay from Ontario, so I'm choosing to highlight them in my ongoing tour of Canada, through the Canadian Decorative Arts Collection. They are a set of vessels that was
CANADA 150- Ontario- Elmer Hookway
This is a glass steam engine, made by a glass blower and flame worker named Elmer Hookway, who was born in Toronto in 1889. It is fully functional, and was built by Hookway with engineering assistance from his friend Herb Hodginson. A written document, prepared by Hodginson and Hookway, accompanies
Canada 150- Prince Edward Island- red pottery
One of my favorite things to think about when studying craft objects is the way in which they can teach us about the place where they were made, in both sociocultural and environmental aspects. Most often craft objects are examined from the sociocultural perspective, but the environmental