This is My Place: The Rooms

 

     In the fall, we became a member of The Rooms, the provincial museum. The Rooms is a cultural facility in St. John's. The facility opened in 2005 and houses the Art Gallery, the Provincial Archives and the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador.

This postcard shows how much The Rooms takes over the skyline.

     The facility was constructed on a hill overlooking the port city at a historic location once occupied by Fort Townshend. The building can be seen from almost any point in St. John's.

     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.

Al walking up to the main entrance

The moose over the main entrance

The moose as seen from the inside

     The building offers a panoramic view of downtown St. John's, St. John's Harbour, and Signal Hill. The Rooms combines three divisions: Archives, Art Gallery, and Museum.

The St. John's harbour in the fall.  Signal Hill is in the background on the left.

Bev sitting on an ottoman in an out-of-the-way room.
The background is the St. John's harbour.

The entrance of the St. John's harbour. This and the next few photos were taken
from The Rooms Cafe where you can sit and look over the downtown area and the
harbour while having tea or a full meal.
Photos taken in May, 2017

Although these photos were taken through glass and the colours are a little muted,
you can see that downtown St. John's is so very colourful

     We attended the Thursday afternoon (coffee and culture) sessions of lectures. We heard about topics such as:

      Film: Trapped in a Human Zoo. Description: Relive the story of the incredible journey of eight Inuit who travelled from Labrador to Europe in 1880, only to realize they had been trapped in the world of human zoos. Author France Rivet was on hand to speak about how she and Inuit Elder Johannes Lampe, uncover the mystery of their disappearance. (Description taken from The Rooms brochure)

     Viking Life in the Medieval North Atlantic. Description: What was going on a thousand years ago in the Viking world? Sr. Shannon Lewis-Simpson will reveals the culture of the settlers from Greenland and Iceland and what place Newfoundland and Labrador held in their world view. (Description taken from The Rooms brochure)

     Films of Labrador: The Last Days of Okak. Description: This documentary tells the story of the once-thriving town of Okak, an Inuit settlement on the northern Labrador coast. In 1919, a Moravian ship brought the deadly Spanish influenza to the settlement. This film relates the story of how the Inuit were decimated and Okak was abandoned and examines the relations between natives and missionaries. The other film was Grenfell of Labrador: The Great Adventure. Description: A portrait of an extraordinary doctor who devoted his life to helping the people of Labrador and Northern Newfoundland. (Description taken from The Rooms brochure)

     Occupational Therapy in the Industrial Department of the Grenfell Mission.  Description: In the early 1900s, Jessie Luther, considered a pioneer occupational therapist, used her Settlement House philosophy and Arts and Crafts skills to develop programs at the Grenfell Mission. Occupational therapist, Brenda Head, will present how crafts improved the quality of life of individuals living in isolated rural communities. (Description taken from The Rooms brochure)

     We heard a few more lectures and saw many exhibits. Some of the fascinating ones were the dolls collection from Newfoundland, the Minimalist Art Exhibit and the Art Exhibit showing local artists. We even participated in a focus group to discuss aboriginal art.

     Each time we visited, we explored a different exhibit. Here are some pictures from the local artists. The age ranged from under 8 to Senior. These were my favourites.

Fall Light -- Oil

Hydrangea -- oil

In Celebration of the Capelin -- Photograph

Pitcher It on the Tableland  -- oil

Snow Removal -- Rug Hooking

The Fiddler -- Graphite on Paper

     We spent many lovely afternoons at The Rooms. There is so much to explore and the exhibits change on a regular basis. There is so much to learn about Newfoundland and Labrador and its people. It really lives up to its motto: "This is My Place". Take advantage of your museums whether they are municipal, specialty, provincial or national.