The Royal Ontario Museum Offers Free Admission During ROM Revealed Weekend

To celebrate its Centennial, the ROM is throwing open its doors to the public and offering free general admission during its ROM Revealed Weekend today, May 3 and Sunday May 4. ROM Revealed offers a rare opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and explore the areas of the Museum traditionally not open to the public, including the ROM's DNA lab, its collections vaults, antler room, its 6 floors of Curatorial Centres and much more. During ROM Revealed visitors will experience:

Two self-guided, behind-the-scenes routes that take you into the ROM's collections vaults and research labs: Epic Civilizations Experience showcases the ROM's Ancient Cultures, Textiles & Fashion, Canada, Contemporary Culture and World Art & Culture Centres of Discovery and showcases some of the ROM's oldest objects including artifacts that Charles Trick Currelly first put on display at the Museum in 1914. Wild Wonders Experience explores the ROM's Biodiversity, Earth & Space and Fossils & Evolution Centres of Discovery and takes you through the ROM's collection of all things wild, from the smallest fly on the planet to fossils of the largest creatures that have ever lived along with meteorites, precious gems and more.*

· Family-friendly activities including appearances by the popular Earth Rangers, a chance to walk on a piece of the moon and photo opportunities with the ROM's beloved mascots Gordo and Gertie.

· Hands-on learning labs where visitors can touch and examine real specimens and discover what's behind some of the ROM`s most iconic objects, including a reproduction of an early human skull, Mastodon and Mammoth teeth, moths and butterflies, and much more.

· Michael Awad's spectacular new exhibition The Entire City Project: Royal Ontario Museum which captures every square inch of the ROM in Awad's signature photographic style.

· ROM Ideas Colloquium a chance to hear first hand from ROM curators and experts about the latest discoveries and research happening at the Museum.

Plus, visit the stunning Forbidden City that takes you inside the court of China's emperors and showcases more than 200 rare artifacts many of which have never before been seen in North America.(note: special price of $11/$10 for students and seniors/free to ROM members applies to Forbidden City exhibition).

*Space is limited for behind the scenes experience. Reserve your tickets online at www.rom.on.ca

When: Saturday, May 3 to Sunday, May 4, 2014

Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park, Toronto

For more information, contact: Amanda Fruci, amandaf@rom.on.ca, 416.586.5558