Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum
Name	Manchester Museum
Established	1867
Location	The University of Manchester, Oxford Road
Type	University museum
Director	Esme Ward
Website	https://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/

Manchester Museum. It is a major public museum owned by The University of Manchester, situated on the university's main campus on Oxford Road. Founded in 1867, it holds approximately 4.5 million items from across the fields of archaeology, anthropology, and natural history. The museum is renowned for its extensive Egyptology collection and its commitment to contemporary issues like climate change and decolonisation.

History

The origins trace back to the collections of the Manchester Society of Natural History and the Manchester Geological Society, which were later transferred to Owens College, the precursor to The University of Manchester. A dedicated building, designed by Alfred Waterhouse, opened in 1888. Significant growth occurred under curators like William Boyd Dawkins and through major acquisitions, including the Flinders Petrie collection of Egyptian antiquities. The 21st century has seen major redevelopment, including the 2023 opening of the South Asia Gallery, a partnership with the British Museum.

Collections

The vast holdings are divided across several key disciplines. The archaeology collection includes important material from the Roman fort of Mamucium and Prehistoric Britain. The anthropology collection features significant objects from Oceania, the Americas, and Africa. In natural history, it possesses one of the UK's finest herbarium collections, an extensive mineralogy archive, and important zoology specimens, including a famed collection of bird taxidermy from Charles Darwin's colleague Thomas Campbell Eyton.

Architecture

The original Victorian building is a Gothic Revival structure by Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed the Natural History Museum in London and Manchester Town Hall. The 1912 extension, the **Gothic Revival** "**Edwardian Wing**", added further gallery space. The early 21st century saw the addition of the modern **Fossils Gallery** and, most recently, the **Hello Future** project designed by architects Stephenson Studio, which added a new entrance pavilion and the inclusive **Belonging Gallery**.

Notable exhibits

Among its most famous objects is the mummy of Asru, a chantress of Amun from Ancient Egypt. The museum also displays the imposing skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex nicknamed "**Stan**", and the **Living Worlds** gallery features a thought-provoking taxidermy polar bear addressing extinction. Other highlights include the **Lindow Man**, a preserved Iron Age bog body from Cheshire, and the **Manchester Mummy Project**, which used CT scanning to research its Egyptian holdings.

Public engagement

The institution runs a wide-ranging programme including family workshops, academic lectures, and late-night events. It is a leading venue for the Manchester Science Festival and collaborates with community groups across Greater Manchester. The **South Asia Gallery**, co-curated with the British Museum and local community leaders, represents a pioneering model of shared curation. Its **Digital Studio** allows online access to collections and hosts virtual exhibitions.

Governance and funding

It is part of The University of Manchester, under the faculty of Humanities. Day-to-day management falls to the Director, currently Esme Ward, and a senior leadership team. Core funding comes from the university, with significant project grants from bodies like The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, and private donors such as the Foyle Foundation. The **Manchester Museum Partnership** fosters links with cultural organizations across the city, including the Whitworth Art Gallery.

Category:Museums in Manchester Category:University museums in England Category:Natural history museums in the United Kingdom Category:Archaeological museums in England