The following is being distributed at the request of The Rooms:
The Rooms is announcing that a new name for the Mary March Provincial Museum in Grand Falls-Windsor has been selected. The museum, one of three provincial museums operated by The Rooms, will now be called the Demasduit Regional Museum. A group of local residents who had an interest in preserving the region’s heritage established the community museum in the 1970s.
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.
The Rooms sought public input on the new name through a survey offered on engageNL during December 2021. Participants could select a preferred name from the two suggested options identified by the working group – Demasduit Regional Museum and Demasduit Regional Interpretation Centre – or provide a third option for consideration.
Demasduit Regional Museum was selected by 41.72 per cent of respondents and Demasduit Regional Interpretation Centre was selected by 43.56 per cent of respondents. Demasduit Regional Museum was selected as the final choice as the name is distinct from the Beothuk Interpretation Centre and many respondents indicated a strong preference to retain the word museum.
In reviewing the data, consideration was given by The Rooms to the comments received through the engagement process. Other considerations included name length and clarity; distinction from other attractions/museums/cultural institutions; name be reflective of the visitor experience; and, name be compatible with the regional museum system operated by The Rooms.
A copy of the What We Heard report is located on The Rooms Website and can be found here.
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“Thank you to the members of the working group, as well as all of the participants who took part in the public engagement process for helping with the renaming. Demasduit Regional Museum is a fitting name and represents an important piece of the region’s heritage. It also helps to further Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples by honouring their history and the history of the community museum. When the museum opens its doors in the spring, I encourage people to visit and learn more about the rich history of Central Newfoundland.”
Anne Chafe, CEO of The Rooms
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Learn more
The Rooms
Public Invited to Participate in Renaming of the Mary March Provincial Museum
Public Consultations Conclude for the Renaming of the Mary March Provincial Museum
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Media contact
Jena Mitchell
The Rooms
709-757-8144
jenamitchell@therooms.ca