The great star-shaped citadel, one of the largest British fortifications in North America at the time, was built to defend Britain's fishing interests.

[5] In March 2013, The Rooms Corporation announced [6] it would be developing an outdoor space to improve access and safety, and to commemorate the history of Fort Townshend.

Plans to excavate archaeological remains of Fort Townshend, which are largely located under the building, were not defined in the scope of the project.

Located on the third floor of The Rooms, the mandate of Archives Division is to preserve records of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador which have enduring value, whether legal, fiscal, evidential or for research purposes.

Exhibits include dioramas of the animal and plant life of the tundra and bog, mounted bird displays, and the aboriginal people who lived in the area.

Other displays include the city's British military history, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, and the culture and contributions of the area's Irish fishermen.

The original Newfoundland Museum was located in a large Classical Revival brick and sandstone building at 285 Duckworth Street in downtown St. John's.