Museum History: Disaster!
Every institution has faced its share of disasters. The RSM is not exempt from this, having endured both a tornado and a fire in its 100 year history.
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The Museum collection was damaged beyond repair when the famous "Regina Cyclone" ravaged the city’s downtown on June 30, 1912. It was the most destructive tornado so far known in Canada. With winds up to 416 kilometers per hour, the tornado killed 28 people and left 2,500 homeless. The winds smashed the windows of the Legislative Building, where the Museum collection was housed, letting in high winds and heavy rains. |
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A fire devastated the Museum on the night of February 16, 1990. The fire began in the First Nations Gallery which was under construction. While only a small area was destroyed by the flames, the greatest damage was inflicted by the dense smoke which permeated the entire building. Everything in the Museum was coated in a thick layer of black soot. As a result, the Museum was closed to the public for over four months to allow for clean up and restoration. While the fire was disastrous, it may have actually been a blessing in disguise. The Museum was allotted additional time for the development of the First Nations Gallery and for the re-development of the Life Sciences Gallery. This greatly enhanced the galleries' final presentation.
surveying a blackened exhibit
For further information contact the RSM Information Desk.
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