The Rooms (St.John's, Newfoundland and Labrador)

Last crawled date: 2 years, 11 months ago

The Rooms is a cultural facility in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It houses the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador. The facility was officially opened on June 29, 2005. The building's architecture and name is a reference to the simple gable-roofed sheds (called 'fishing rooms') that were common at the waterline in Newfoundland fishing villages. On a hill overlooking the port city, it can be seen from almost any point in St. John's. Since its construction, it has competed with its neighbour, Basilica of St. John the Baptist, for the dominance of the St. John's skyline. Because of the size, shape, location, and rather geometric exterior design of The Rooms some local citizens ridicule it as 'The box the Basilica came in.' During the planning and construction of this history-preserving building much opposition was raised by archeologists and historians because of its location. Previously on the same strategic spot of land was located Fort Townsend, an 18th-century military fort, that was eventually buried under ground. This historic structure was destroyed during The Rooms' construction. #Art_Gallery #Newfoundland_and_Labrador #Provincial_Archives #StJohns #The_Rooms