Discover Historic Toronto

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) Walks
Various Locals
Most Wednesdays 6pm or Sundays 2pm
through September 2006

The ROM with the Michael A. Lee-Chin Crystal Pavilion
Title: The Royal Ontario Museum with the new Michael A Lee-Chin Crystal Pavilion
Photographer: Miller Hare,
© ROM 2006. All rights reserved.
Image Courtesy: The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto

Face a group of people and describe the history and architecture of everything behind your back in great detail. Difficult task? Perhaps most people would find it nearly impossible, but not the individuals who lead ROM Walks in Toronto; a favorite event in Toronto's summertime.

Toronto has a fabulous history and anyone can learn about them in a series of free guided walks of the city. Held from May to September annually they are led by tour leaders from the Royal Ontario Museum's Department of Museum Volunteers. Last year the ROM celebrated it's 25th Anniversary of ROM walks. Then, like today, the ROM was undergoing a construction phase though then, unlike now, the ROM was closed. There are 18 walks available, usually limited to 14 different walks per season, along with two to three ROM Walks Plus.

The Royal Ontario Museum Toronto in 2002 prior to the Construction
Title: An aerial photograph of the ROM prior to construction beginning, December 2002.
© Royal Ontario Museum, 2006. All rights reserved.
Image Courtesy: The Royal Ontario Museum

Different sections of the city are featured in individual walks, including one that focuses on the ROM itself and surrounding historic buildings such as the Church of the Redeemer and the Royal Conservatory of Music. This walk is ROM and its Neighbours.

Royal Ontario Museum

ROM Guardian Lion
Title: Chinese Guardian Lion (shi shi), 17th * 19th centuries
Medium: Marble,
© Royal Ontario Museum, 2006. All rights reserved.
Image Courtesy: The Royal Ontario Museum

A key point of interest in the exterior of the ROM is the two marble Guardian Lions. Their colorful history spans over 300 years. Originally guarding the Su Wang Foo palace in the late 19th century, they stand over 10 feet tall and weigh close to 17 tons each and are among the largest and finest stone lions to ever come out of China.

Since their arrival at the Royal Ontario Museum in 1923 the lions have resided in a number of locations both in and outside the Museum and since 1988 they have been located in the ROM's north garden facing Bloor Street. They now flank the ROM's former Queen's Park entrance.

Church of the Redeemer

Title: The Church of the Redeemer, Toronto Interior View
Image Courtesy: The Church of the Redeemer, Toronto

The cornerstone for the present Church of the Redeemer at the corner of Bloor Street and Avenue Road was laid in 1878 by Archdeacon Whitaker who was acting on behalf of the Bishop of Toronto. The building was designed by architects Smith and Gemmell, who had also constructed Knox College, of the University of Toronto and St. Paul's United Church. Its Casavant organ dates from 1904. Be sure to spend time enjoying viewing the N. T. Lyons designed stained glass windows.

Exterior view of the Church of the Redeemer, Toronto
Title: The Church of the Redeemer, Toronto Exterior View
Image Courtesy: The Church of the Redeemer, Toronto

Royal Conservatory of Music

Title: Architectural Rendering of the completed TELUS Centre.
Image Courtesy: KPMB Architects / Q Studios Ltd.

The oldest and largest independent arts education facility in Canada is the Royal Conservatory of Music. It was founded in 1886 as the Toronto Conservatory of Music. The student body included Glenn Gould, Teresa Stratas, and Jon Vickers.

Title: Architectural rendering showing the new east entrance to the TELUS Centre - opening onto Philosopher's Walk
Image Courtesy: KPMB Architects / Q Studios Ltd.

Acknowledging it's importance as one of the finest music schools in the British Commonwealth King George VI awarded the conservatory its royal status in 1947. That was when it became the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Title: Original Building at 273 Bloor Street West, in the early 1900s
Image Courtesy: The Royal Conservatory of Music

The original building was home to the Toronto Baptist College and dates from 1881. Funded by William McMaster it was designed by Langley, Langley & Burke. The College later changed its name to McMaster University and eventually relocated to Hamilton. That building became home of the Royal Conservatory of Music in 1963.

The outside is eye-catching.

original building at 273 Bloor Street West, in
the early 1900s
Title: The Royal Conservatory of Music at 273 Bloor Street West in 2002.
Photographer: Tom Sandler
Image Courtesy: The Royal Conservatory of Music

It is composed of red brick, grey and red Credit Valley sandstone, granite, and white Cleveland sandstone. The roof is of particular architectural importance with its imposing Romanesque arches.

Title: Original Building at 273 Bloor Street West, in 1931
Image Courtesy: The Royal Conservatory of Music

The Royal Conservatory of Music needed to be relocated during its current construction phase. It can be found at 90 Croatia Street, which is near Bloor & Dufferin, until the TELUS Centre is completed.

Find The Blue Umbrellas

Interested participants should visit the ROM's web site for the specifics regarding which walks are available on which day. Usually they are Sundays at 2pm and Wednesdays at 6 pm and last between 1 to 2 hours. Always look for the blue ROM umbrellas indicating the beginning of each walk at the specified starting point.

Royal Ontario Museum	www.rom.on.ca
Church of the Redeemer	www.theredeemer.ca
Royal Conservatory of Music	www.rcmusic.ca