The Royal Alberta Museum is a museum located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is the largest museum in the province and one of the largest in Canada, with over 82,000 square feet of exhibit space. The museum is home to over 2 million objects, ranging from fossils to contemporary art.
History:
The Royal Alberta Museum, located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the early days of the province.
The museum’s origins can be traced back to 1906, when the government of Alberta created the Provincial Museum of Alberta, which was then housed in the Legislative Building in Edmonton. The museum’s first curator was a man named Charles M. Sternberg, who was a renowned fossil hunter and paleontologist.
Over the years, the museum’s collection grew, and it became clear that the museum needed a larger and more modern facility. In 1967, the museum moved to a new building in downtown Edmonton, which was known as the Provincial Museum of Alberta.
In the years that followed, the museum continued to expand its collection and its facilities. In the 1980s, the museum began planning for a major expansion that would double the size of the facility. The expansion was completed in 1987, and the museum was renamed the Provincial Museum of Alberta/Natural History and Human History.
By the 2000s, it was clear that the museum needed yet another expansion, as the facilities were once again overcrowded and outdated. In 2005, the government of Alberta announced that it would be building a new facility for the museum.
After several years of construction, the new Royal Alberta Museum opened to the public in October 2018. The new facility is located in downtown Edmonton, and it is the largest museum in the province, with over 82,000 square feet of exhibit space.
The new facility was designed to be a state-of-the-art museum that would showcase the museum’s vast collection of objects and artifacts. The museum’s collections include over 2 million objects, ranging from fossils to contemporary art.
Today, the Royal Alberta Museum is one of the premier cultural institutions in Canada, and it attracts visitors from all over the world. The museum is dedicated to educating the public about the natural and human history of Alberta, and it is a vital resource for researchers and scholars in many different fields.
Exhibits:
The Royal Alberta Museum has a wide variety of exhibits, covering a range of topics from natural history to human history to contemporary art. Some of the highlights of the museum’s collection include:
Natural History:
- The Royal Alberta Museum’s Natural History Gallery is a popular destination for visitors who want to learn more about Alberta’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife. The gallery features a wide range of exhibits and displays that showcase the province’s geological history, biodiversity, and natural resources.
- One of the main attractions in the gallery is the Life Sciences section, which features more than 5,000 specimens of plants, animals, and fossils from around the world. Visitors can see a life-sized replica of a woolly mammoth, explore a recreated badlands landscape, and examine the bones and fossils of prehistoric creatures such as dinosaurs and mammoths.
- The gallery also includes displays on Alberta’s diverse ecosystems, such as the prairie grasslands, boreal forests, and Rocky Mountains. Visitors can learn about the plants and animals that inhabit these regions, including grizzly bears, cougars, elk, and beavers, through interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations.
- Another popular section of the gallery is the Earth Sciences exhibit, which explores the province’s geology and natural resources. Visitors can see real examples of rocks, minerals, and fossils from Alberta’s geological formations, and learn about the province’s rich deposits of oil, gas, and other minerals.
Human History:
The Royal Alberta Museum’s Human History Gallery offers visitors a glimpse into the rich and diverse cultures that have shaped the province of Alberta, from the First Nations and Métis peoples to the pioneers and immigrants who have made the province their home.
The gallery is organized into several sections, each highlighting a different aspect of Alberta’s human history. One section is dedicated to Indigenous peoples, featuring artifacts and displays that explore their traditional ways of life, customs, and spiritual beliefs. Visitors can learn about the cultural practices of different Indigenous groups, such as the Blackfoot, Cree, and Dene, through interactive exhibits, such as a tipi and birch bark canoe.
Another section of the gallery focuses on the pioneers and early settlers who came to Alberta in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors can step back in time and explore a replica of a pioneer cabin, complete with authentic artifacts and furnishings. They can also learn about the challenges and triumphs of early settlers through multimedia presentations and personal stories.
The gallery also features displays on immigration, exploring the experiences of newcomers from around the world who have made Alberta their home. Visitors can learn about the different waves of immigration that have shaped the province’s cultural landscape, from the early Ukrainian and Icelandic settlers to more recent arrivals from countries like China, India, and the Philippines.
Contemporary Art:
The Royal Alberta Museum has a diverse collection of contemporary art that reflects the artistic trends and themes of Alberta and the larger Canadian art scene.
The museum’s collection includes works by many of Alberta’s most important contemporary artists, such as Alex Janvier, whose colorful and abstract paintings reflect his indigenous heritage and his experiences growing up in northern Alberta.
Other notable contemporary artists in the museum’s collection include Marcel Dzama, whose surreal and often whimsical drawings and paintings have been exhibited in galleries around the world, and Chris Cran, who is known for his bold and colorful paintings that often incorporate elements of popular culture.
In addition to its permanent collection, the museum also hosts regular temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. Recent exhibitions have included “Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art,” which showcased the work of emerging and established artists from across the province, and “A Modern Vision,” which explored the work of women artists in the museum’s collection.
The museum’s commitment to contemporary art reflects its mission to engage with and reflect the cultural diversity and artistic vibrancy of Alberta and Canada. Through its exhibitions and programs, the museum provides a platform for artists to showcase their work and for the public to engage with and learn about contemporary art.
Feature Exhibits:
The Royal Alberta Museum features a wide range of exhibits that showcase the natural and human history of Alberta, Canada, and the world. Some of the museum’s most notable feature exhibits include:
- Human History Gallery: This exhibit explores the history and culture of Alberta’s Indigenous peoples, as well as the province’s pioneer settlers and immigrants. The gallery features artifacts, dioramas, and interactive displays that provide a glimpse into the daily lives, customs, and traditions of Alberta’s diverse communities.
- Natural History Gallery: This exhibit features over 5,000 specimens of plants, animals, and fossils, including a life-sized replica of a woolly mammoth. Visitors can learn about Alberta’s diverse ecosystems, geology, and natural resources through interactive displays and multimedia presentations.
- Bug Gallery: This exhibit is dedicated to Alberta’s many species of insects and other arthropods. Visitors can get up close and personal with live specimens of beetles, spiders, and other bugs, and learn about their fascinating behaviors and adaptations.
- The Children’s Gallery: This interactive exhibit is designed specifically for children and families, with hands-on activities and games that encourage learning and exploration. The gallery features a mini dinosaur excavation site, a water play area, and a replica of a historic fur trading post.
- Feature Exhibitions: The museum also hosts regular feature exhibitions that showcase a wide range of topics and themes. Recent exhibitions have included “Wildlife Photographer of the Year,” which showcases stunning nature photography from around the world, and “Hunters and Collectors,” which explores the history and culture of hunting and fishing in Alberta.
Facilities:
The Royal Alberta Museum is a modern facility that offers a range of amenities and services to visitors. Here are some of the key facilities and features that you can expect to find:
- Exhibits: The museum is home to a range of permanent and temporary exhibits that showcase Alberta’s natural and human history.
- Theatres: The museum has two theatres that feature multimedia presentations and films related to the museum’s exhibits.
- Gift Shop: The museum gift shop offers a range of unique souvenirs, gifts, and books related to Alberta’s history and culture.
- Café: The museum café offers a selection of food and beverages, including sandwiches, salads, snacks, and beverages.
- Accessibility: The museum is wheelchair accessible and offers a range of services for visitors with disabilities, including accessible parking, elevators, and washrooms.
- Parking: The museum has a large parking lot with ample space for visitors.
- Guided Tours: The museum offers guided tours for visitors who want to explore the exhibits in more detail and learn more about Alberta’s history and culture.
- Education Programs: The museum offers a range of educational programs for schools and groups, including workshops, tours, and outreach programs.
- Events: The museum hosts a range of events throughout the year, including lectures, workshops, and special exhibits.
Conclusion: The Royal Alberta Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in natural history, human history, or contemporary art. With its vast collection of objects and its state-of-the-art facilities, the museum is one of the premier cultural institutions in Canada. Whether you are a local resident or a visitor to the province, the Royal Alberta Museum is definitely worth a visit.
