Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Oxford University Museum of Natural History is a museum showcasing the natural history specimens and artifacts collected by the University of Oxford. The museum is affiliated with the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and the Oxford University Herbaria. It has strong ties with the Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, and the Oxford Martin School. The museum's collections and research activities are also connected to the Royal Society, the Linnean Society of London, and the Geological Society of London.

● History

The museum's history dates back to the 17th century, when Robert Plot, a professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford, started collecting natural history specimens. The collection grew rapidly, and by the 19th century, it included specimens collected by Charles Darwin during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. The museum's collections were also enriched by the contributions of William Buckland, a paleontologist and theologian who was a fellow of the Royal Society and the Geological Society of London. Other notable collectors and researchers associated with the museum include John James Audubon, Joseph Dalton Hooker, and Henry Walter Bates. The museum has also been involved in various expeditions, including the British Arctic Expedition and the Terra Nova Expedition.

● Architecture

The museum's building was designed by Deane and Woodward, a firm of architects that also worked on the National Museum of Ireland and the University College Dublin. The building's design was influenced by the Gothic Revival style, which was popular in the 19th century, and features a stunning glass roof designed by Charles Fowler. The museum's architecture is also notable for its use of Bath stone and its intricate carvings and sculptures, which were created by George Gilbert Scott and other prominent artists of the time. The building has been praised by architects and historians, including Nikolaus Pevsner and John Summerson, and is considered one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture in the United Kingdom.

● Collections

The museum's collections include over 7 million specimens, ranging from Dinosaurs to Insects and from Fossils to Minerals. The collections are particularly strong in the areas of Entomology, with specimens collected by Alfred Russel Wallace and Henry Walter Bates, and Malacology, with specimens collected by John Edward Gray and Philip Henry Gosse. The museum also has an extensive collection of Archaeological artifacts, including specimens from Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome. Other notable collections include the Hope Entomological Collections, the Oxford University Herbaria, and the Geological Collections.

● Research and Education

The museum is involved in various research activities, including Conservation biology, Ecology, and Evolutionary biology. The museum's researchers collaborate with scientists from the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and other institutions, including the Natural History Museum, London and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The museum also offers various educational programs, including University of Oxford courses, Workshops, and Lectures, and is involved in outreach activities, such as the Oxford Science Festival and the Cheltenham Science Festival. The museum's education programs are designed to promote the understanding of Natural history and Science among the general public, and to inspire the next generation of scientists and researchers, including those at the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society.

● Exhibitions

The museum's exhibitions showcase the diversity of its collections and the latest research in the field of Natural history. The exhibitions include displays on Dinosaurs, Mammals, and Insects, as well as temporary exhibitions on topics such as Climate change and Biodiversity. The museum has also hosted exhibitions on the History of science, including exhibitions on the Royal Society and the Scientific Revolution. Other notable exhibitions have included displays on the Voyage of the Beagle and the Life of Charles Darwin, as well as exhibitions on the Natural history of Oxfordshire and the Geology of the United Kingdom. The museum's exhibitions are designed to engage the public and to promote the understanding of Science and Natural history, and are often developed in collaboration with other institutions, including the British Museum and the National Museum of Wales. Category:Museums in Oxford