The Culture Rooms
Date: Sep 18
10:00 am
- 9:00 pm
Where: Level 2 & 3 Atrium
Experience what makes the people and this place so unique. MUSIC: When we are not talking, we are singing. And dancing. And having a time. Learn why music runs in our veins and try out an instrument or two yourself. Have you ever played an ugly stick? LANGUAGE: Did you know we have our own dictionary? Become acquainted with local authors. Learn some new words, like sleeveen or callibogus. And discover place names that will make you giggle, such as Come By Chance or Blow Me Down Provincial Park. NATURE: Mother Nature is highly respected here. Her high winds, dense fog, deep snow and horizontal rain have made us a hearty bunch and have defined our fashion sense. Learn about our spectacular hiking trails. Touch a piece of iceberg. And find out what capelin weather is all about. HISTORY: Come find out what brought people to these shores hundreds of years ago and what has made us such a resilient and creative lot. Try your hand at splitting a cod or bring a turn of water. Learn about resettlement and the salt cod trade. GENEALOGY: Many visitors have "roots" in this province. Some come with a clear understanding of where their families came from, while others only know that somewhere in their past there was a generation that started here. This kiosk shows you how to begin!
Events & Programs
Get to know the artifacts and material culture from The Rooms Collections better through drawing. This new weekly series is designed for creatives who want to sketch independently and draw from a unique collection of artifacts and objects from our 6 vaults.
Each session of Drawing from Our Collections will feature a new curated selection of artifacts and material culture from our extensive archives, art gallery, and museum vaults. It will be a rare opportunity to observe and draw from items that are not usually accessible to the public. Prepare to gain valuable knowledge about our collections along with others who are keen to draw, sketch and learn.
This series is for those comfortable with drawing independently in a supportive and engaging environment. Bring your sketchbook and pencils and join us for a creative adventure that will deepen your connection to art and history.
4 sessions: October 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 2 – 4 pm
Cost: $80 plus HST for 4 sessions. 10% discount for Rooms members. Must be purchased as a block of 4.
Spaces are limited, so be sure to register early to secure your spot. Suitable ages for 15 and up. Register online or by calling (709) 757-8090.
Prefer an evening time slot? There is also a 6:30 – 8:30 pm session offered every Wednesday in October.
Fishing for Cod
For centuries, fishing for cod has played a vital role in the lives of the peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador. Generations of fishing men, women, and children made use of the land and sea to sustain them and spent their lives “making fish.”
Join us each day for an interpretive guided tour in one of our galleries. From the story of the cod fishery to visiting a current art exhibition to a Family Rainbow Tour, there is something for everyone.
Each tour is approximately 30–40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.
Authors Kevin Major, Nick Wilkshire, and Ray Critch come together in conversation, moderated by Craig Francis Power, about their recently released crime novels from Breakwater Books:
- Six for Saint-Pierre, the latest instalment in Kevin Major’s award-winning Sebastian Synard Mystery series (One for the Rock)
- The Hunt, a fast-paced thriller from Nick Wilkshire set in the vast and rugged Yukon wilderness
- The Beltane Massacre, a modern twist on a classic spy novel from Ray Critch
This is a free event, but a ticket is required. Please reserve your free ticket online or by calling (709) 757-8090.
Presented in partnership with Breakwater Books. Books will be available for sale in The Rooms Giftshop on Level 1.
About the Authors:
Kevin Major – Governor General Award-winner and author of twenty-four books, ranging from fiction and literary non-fiction to poetry and plays. His first novel, Hold Fast, is considered a classic of Canadian young adult fiction and was adapted into a feature film. As Near To Heaven By Sea: A History of Newfoundland and Labrador was a Canadian bestseller. His work has been translated into German, Spanish, Catalan, and Hebrew. One for the Rock, Two for the Tablelands, Three for Trinity, Four for Fogo Island, and Five for Forteau are previous titles in Major’s popular crime series. He lives with his wife in St. John’s. They have two grown sons.
Ray Critch – By day, Ray is a lawyer who has appeared at every level of court in Newfoundland and Labrador and at the Supreme Court of Canada. In 2010, he obtained a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Edinburgh. Before being called to the bar in 2016, he taught at universities in Edinburgh, Scotland; Vienna, Austria; and St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Nick Wilkshire – Originally from St. John’s, Nick is a lawyer and author who spent five years in the Yukon before settling in Ottawa. The Hunt is his seventh novel.
Join Heritage NL’s heritage carpenter Chris Hogan to learn more about how traditional wooden windows are constructed, putty and glass removal, and preparing sashes for re-glazing.
Historic wood windows are considered to be one of the most important distinguishing characteristics of historic buildings. At the same time, they are often the feature of historic properties that are first to be replaced with modern materials. Concerned about the loss of traditional window-repair skills, Heritage NL has been teaching workshops and fostering mentorships around window conservation. Wooden window making, the process of making traditional-style windows from wood, was listed as Endangered on the 2024 Craft at Risk List.
Cost: $40 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. All materials included. Register online!
About the presenter:
Chris Hogan completed the Heritage Carpentry program at College of the North Atlantic in Carbonear in 2006 and has been working as a finish carpenter for 17 years, primarily on older home renovations. Chris participated in Heritage NL’s Craft at Risk Mentor/Apprentice program, working with mentor boatbuilder Jerome Canning to build a traditional punt. More recently, Chris has been working as Heritage NL’s heritage carpenter, facilitating training around the restoration and maintenance of historic wooden windows.
Presented in partnership with Heritage NL.