Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum

Yesterday I visited the newly expanded ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). The controversial "Crystal" expansion has greatly increased the gallery space and research areas of the world famous facility. I was pleased to see that the traditional interior facades of the building have been preserved, in particular the wonderful domed mosaic ceiling and the former front doors of the facility which are now emergency exits. The "crystal" itself is stunning although I should think the design does waste considerable space with the angle of the walls.
Virtually all areas have been renovated and displays are modern, attractive and informative. There are pleasent rest areas throughout the museum where you can sit in comfortable chairs and rest or watch short films related to that particular gallery subject. I watched a very interesting film on decorative glass-making.
There are many galleries not yet open but there is still enough to see to justify the $20.00 adult admission price. The family pass, $119.00 for a year (or $99.00 with CAA membership)is a bargain if you plan to go at least twice with your tribe.
The only faults I could find was that the signage is not really very plentiful. The new section, where you now enter the building, is somewhat confusing. Some large signage directing you to the elevators to get to the display floors of the "crystal" wing would be helpful. There don't seem to be as many guides around the museum for some reason. A volunteer or two on duty in the main area would be helpful. Somehow I got into the museum without a map and there were none to be found once I got in. It would be helpful if they offered a guidemap when you pay admission. I never did find the mummies - maybe they are not displayed as yet. I felt a warm fuzzy feeling reconnecting with the meteroite that I would touch as a child with great wonder. It's great that hands on is allowed, encouraged, for some of the exhibits. It is also great that many objects are not behind glass which allows photographers such as myself an opportunity to get some great images without the reflection of glass ruining the shot.
The new museum gift shop is immense, filled with light, and many interesting things at surprsingly afforable prices. Some very unique reproductions of museum objects are beautifully recreated and priced reasonably for the collector. Having the gift shop accessible from Bloor street so that you can shop without going into the museum is a smart marketing feature that takes advantage of the shopper traffic on Bloor Street.
The architects and museum staff have overall done a wonderful job recreating this museum for the 21st century. A photographer, I had as much fund shooting the interesting interior spaces, windows, staircases and walkways as I did the displays.
Torontonians have such a wonderful and world-class facility for enjoyment, learning and research. I hope they, and visitors to Toronto, will make a point of coming down to ROM around.


Malcolm Watts