The Rooms
Encyclopedia
The Rooms is a cultural facility in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
, Canada
. The facility opened in 2005 and houses the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador.
On a hill overlooking the port city, it can be seen from almost any point in St. John's. Since its construction, it has competed with its neighbour, Basilica of St. John the Baptist, for the dominance of the St. John's skyline.
During the planning and construction of the building much opposition was raised by archaeologists and historians because of its location. Previously on the same strategic spot of land was located Fort Townsend, an 18th-century military fort, that was eventually buried under ground. The great star-shaped citadel, one of the largest British fortifications in North America at the time, was built to defend Britain's fishing interests. With the withdrawal of the imperial garrison in 1870, the site became the home of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and, later, the St. John's Fire Department. On-site interpretation allows visitors to explore this historic past. Careful research and documentation before construction ensured that future study of the site is possible.
The facility was officially opened on June 29, 2005. The building offers a panoramic view of downtown St. John's and its architecture, St. John's Harbour, The Narrows
and Signal Hill
.
The gallery was previously known as the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador (AGNL), and was located at the St. John's Arts and Culture Centre
.
s of the animal and plant life of the tundra
and bog
, mounted bird displays, and the aboriginal
people who lived in the area. Other displays include the city's British military history, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
, and the culture and contributions of the area's Irish
fishermen. Changing exhibits focus on other aspects of the province's history, natural history and culture.
The original Newfoundland Museum was located in a large Classical Revival brick and sandstone building at 285 Duckworth Street in Downtown St. John's.
. Metrobus, the city's transit system, through route 15 stops within a 2 minute walking distance of The Rooms' entrance.
, CHIN
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The facility opened in 2005 and houses the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador.
On a hill overlooking the port city, it can be seen from almost any point in St. John's. Since its construction, it has competed with its neighbour, Basilica of St. John the Baptist, for the dominance of the St. John's skyline.
Origins of the name
The building's name, as well as its architecture, is a reference to the simple gable-roofed sheds (called "fishing rooms") that were once so common at the waterline in Newfoundland fishing villages.History
The facility was officially opened on June 29, 2005. The building offers a panoramic view of downtown St. John's and its architecture, St. John's Harbour, The Narrows
The Narrows, St. John's
The Narrows, the only entrance to St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland, is a narrow channel between the Southside and Signal hills. It has a least depth of 11 metres and at its narrowest point near Chain Rock is 61 metres wide....
and Signal Hill
Signal Hill, Newfoundland and Labrador
Signal Hill is a hill which overlooks the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.Due to its strategic placement overlooking the harbour, fortifications have been placed on the hill since the mid 17th century.-History:...
.
Rooms Provincial Art Gallery
The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery is the premiere public gallery in the province dedicated to developing and exhibiting contemporary art. Since opening in 2005, the gallery has produced an average of 15 exhibitions annually; ranging from new-media installations to Renaissance printmaking. The gallery presents new work from across Canada and the world, with a special (though not exclusive) focus on artists working in Newfoundland and Labrador.The gallery was previously known as the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador (AGNL), and was located at the St. John's Arts and Culture Centre
Arts and Culture Centre
The Arts and Culture Centres are a system of six arts centres in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, operated by the provincial government's Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation...
.
Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Provincial Museum focuses on the natural and cultural history of Newfoundland and Labrador. Exhibits include dioramaDiorama
The word diorama can either refer to a nineteenth century mobile theatre device, or, in modern usage, a three-dimensional full-size or miniature model, sometimes enclosed in a glass showcase for a museum...
s of the animal and plant life of the tundra
Tundra
In physical geography, tundra is a biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. The term tundra comes through Russian тундра from the Kildin Sami word tūndâr "uplands," "treeless mountain tract." There are three types of tundra: Arctic tundra, alpine...
and bog
Bog
A bog, quagmire or mire is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses or, in Arctic climates, lichens....
, mounted bird displays, and the aboriginal
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
people who lived in the area. Other displays include the city's British military history, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is a police force in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It provides policing to the communities of St. John's and the Northeast Avalon Peninsula, Corner Brook, Churchill Falls, and Labrador City....
, and the culture and contributions of the area's Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
fishermen. Changing exhibits focus on other aspects of the province's history, natural history and culture.
The original Newfoundland Museum was located in a large Classical Revival brick and sandstone building at 285 Duckworth Street in Downtown St. John's.
Location
The museum is located on the former site of Fort Townsend on the corner of Bonaventure Avenue and Harvey Road in downtown St. John'sDowntown St. John's
Downtown St. John's is the historic core and central business district of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Located north of St. John's harbour, it is the business, entertainment, and tourism centre with office buildings, hotels, restaurants, and other services.The historic boundaries...
. Metrobus, the city's transit system, through route 15 stops within a 2 minute walking distance of The Rooms' entrance.
External links
Affiliations
The Museum is affiliated with: CMACanadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, CHIN
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
.