The Royal Ontario Museum collects and exhibits the cultural and natural history of Canada and the world. The collections and research are the basis of the ROM’s international reputation; the collections are diverse in their subject matter and number more than five million objects. The ROM’s research, exhibitions and educational activities increase understanding of cultural and natural diversity, their relationships, significance, preservation, and conservation.

The ROM was created by an act of the provincial government on April 16, 1912 and opened to the public on March 19, 1914. The opening ceremony was attended by His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught. Since that time, the ROM has experienced much change and growth. There have been two major expansions to the original four-storey building. On October 12, 1933, Toronto newspapers reported that the newly opened wing was a “masterpiece of architecture”. In 1978, the ROM began a $55 million renovation of the main ROM building, to facilitate extended research and collection activities. The Queen officially opened the Terrace Galleries in a 1984 ceremony.

Today, the ROM begins an exciting transformation and expansion project, Renaissance ROM , which provides for the Museum’s continued growth and vitality.