A beloved bear makes his highly anticipated “return” to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) on September 1, 2020. Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic invites visitors of all ages to see the world—and the ROM—through Pooh’s eyes: a welcoming, safe place to ponder, wonder and find joy in simple pleasures. The ROM is the exclusive Canadian venue for this playful, family-friendly exhibition and the last stop on its world tour. The exhibition is on view through to January 17, 2021.
Organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (V&A), Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic examines the origins, creation and enduring legacy of the classic stories by A.A. Milne (1882–1956) and the heart-warming illustrations of E.H. Shepard (1879–1976). The ROM’s presentation also explores Pooh’s fascinating Canadian connection, which in part inspired the iconic character’s rise to fame.
“The Hundred Acre Wood is a place to wander. An autumn wind, pile of sticks, or a footprint in the snow can begin a new adventure that helps us remember our strengths and the joys of friendship,” says Justin Jennings, Senior Curator of Art & Culture, ROM. “Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic is a special chance for families to experience that magic together.”
Originally opened in March and closed shortly after due to the pandemic, the exhibition has been retrofitted to accommodate new ROM health and safety measures. Signage and floor decals encourage a one-way route throughout the gallery, and capacity is limited to support social distancing. Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting measures are in place, hand sanitizer stations have been installed, and graphics or decals have replaced upholstered objects. The exhibition design also now offers visitors choices for interactivity. For example, the same content is shared on both iPads and wall graphics, and other activities are available as look-only as well as hands-on, for a safe and fun experience.
The Winnie-the-Pooh collection is primarily drawn from the V&A, The Walt Disney Company, Egmont Publishing, The Shepard Trust, and The University of Surrey.
ROM Visitor Guidelines
Visitors can explore the ROM’s spacious galleries and permanent collections in a welcoming and safe environment, with new health and safety measures in place. Full details on what to expect when visiting the ROM are found at rom.on.ca/welcomeback and guidelines are outlined onsite at the Museum:
- The ROM is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, with the exception of Tuesday, September 1 for the opening of Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic. These new temporary hours of operation will be in effect until further notice.
- Visitors must book timed tickets online in advance of their visit. The ROM is limiting the number of visitors in gallery spaces to help ensure physical distancing is maintained.
- Visitors are required to wear face masks and respect physical distancing, as per municipal regulations. ROM staff are also wearing face masks.
- Each gallery area, elevators, and stairwells will have strict capacity limits and marked pathways to help maintain physical distancing.
- Frequent, rigorous cleaning and enhanced disinfecting measures are in place.
What’s Open & What’s Closed
The Cloth that Changed the World: India’s Painted and Printed Cottons opens September 12 and Egyptian Mummies: Ancient Lives. New Discoveries opens September 19. ROM Boutique and Druxy’s ROM Café are open (11 a.m.- 4 p.m. daily). Temporary gallery closures include the Bat Cave, CIBC Discovery Gallery, Patrick and Barbara Keenan Family Gallery of Hands-on Biodiversity, and coat check. ROM’s limited reopening does not currently include camps, guided and spot tours, school-based visits, or event-space rentals. All hours and temporary closures are subject to change.
