The following is being distributed at the request of The Rooms Corporation:

The Rooms Corporation today announced the start of public consultations related to the renaming of the Mary March Provincial Museum in Grand Falls-Windsor.

The Mary March Provincial Museum was established as a community museum in the 1970s by a group of local residents who had an interest in preserving the region’s heritage.

The renaming process began with the creation of a working group comprised of representatives from Indigenous Governments and Organizations, councillors from the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor, a representative from the Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society, and two representatives from The Rooms. This working group met several times and suggested two possible names: Demasduit Regional Museum and Demasduit Regional Interpretation Centre.

The public is now being invited to complete a short questionnaire available at engageNL. Participants will be able to select a preferred name from the two suggested options identified by the working group and will also be able to provide a third option for consideration if they wish.

The short questionnaire is also available in print form for anyone who requests a copy and wants to provide a written submission. Written submissions can be sent to:

Kate Wolforth
Acting Director, Museums and Galleries
The Rooms Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador
P.O. Box 1800
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
A1C 5P9

The consultation will be open until Wednesday, December 22, 2021.

The Rooms, in partnership with the Provincial Government, Indigenous Governments and Organizations, and community partners, committed to a process by which the public would have an opportunity to share their views on a new name. The goal of the consultation process is to find a new name for the museum that is respectful of efforts towards healing and commemoration of Indigenous histories in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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“The Rooms recognizes the colonial history of the name of the Mary March Provincial Museum in Grand Falls-Windsor and is committed to renaming the museum. The Rooms joins the Provincial Government and Indigenous Governments and Organizations in their commitment to advancing Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, promoting inclusive communities, and honouring the history of the institution as a community museum.”
Anne Chafe, CEO
The Rooms Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Learn more
Questionnaire on Renaming the Mary March Provincial Museum

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Media contact
Jena Mitchell
The Rooms
709-757-8144
jenamitchell@therooms.ca