The Rooms

Immerse yourself in our culture at Newfoundland and Labrador's largest public cultural space. It's the place where it all comes together - our history, heritage and artistic expression. The Rooms unites the Provincial Archives, Art Gallery and Museum. A place for people, The Rooms is a portal to the many stories our province has to tell. Soaring into the skyline of historic St. John's, The Rooms combines twenty-first century technology with a striking visual reference to our past. Its unique design mirrors the "fishing rooms" where families came together to process their catch. The Rooms today is also a place to gather: in them, you'll find collections, exhibits and programs that tell our stories and interpret our natural world through art, artifacts, archaeology, architecture and archival records. Precision environmental controls and a state-of-the-art security system allow The Rooms to safeguard these treasures and bring in traveling exhibits that showcase the best the world has to offer. The Rooms site itself is of deep historical significance. Almost 250 years before The Rooms rose on the landscape, this was the site of Fort Townshend. 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 Rooms is also a neighbourhood place. Located in the heart of downtown St. John's, the site is an excellent venue for outdoor performances and programs. And it's only footsteps away from historic buildings, green spaces and a lively arts and entertainment scene.