Queensland Museum

Queensland Museum is a museum located in Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, Australia. The museum is part of the Queensland Cultural Centre precinct, which also includes the Gallery of Modern Art, State Library of Queensland, and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. The museum's collections and exhibitions are supported by organizations such as the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, CSIRO, and the University of Queensland. The museum also collaborates with international institutions like the Natural History Museum, London, American Museum of Natural History, and the Smithsonian Institution.

● History

The museum was established in 1862 by the Queensland Government, with the aim of collecting and preserving the state's natural history and cultural heritage. The museum's first curator was Charles Coxen, who played a significant role in developing the museum's collections, including specimens from the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and the Outback. The museum has undergone several transformations over the years, including a major redevelopment in the 1980s, which was supported by the Australian Government and the Queensland Heritage Council. The museum has also been involved in significant events, such as the 1988 World Expo and the 2014 G20 Brisbane summit, which were held in Brisbane.

● Collections

The museum's collections include over 1.2 million objects, specimens, and artifacts, representing the state's natural history, Anthropology, and Science. The collections include significant holdings from Indigenous Australian communities, such as the Torres Strait Islander people, as well as specimens from the Great Artesian Basin, Cape York Peninsula, and the Murray-Darling Basin. The museum also has extensive collections of fossils from the Age of Dinosaurs, including specimens from the Winton Formation and the Eromanga Basin. The museum's collections are supported by institutions such as the Australian Museum, National Museum of Australia, and the South Australian Museum.

● Exhibitions

The museum's exhibitions showcase the state's natural history, Anthropology, and Science, with a focus on Indigenous Australian cultures and the state's unique biodiversity. The museum's exhibitions have included collaborations with international institutions, such as the Field Museum of Natural History and the Canadian Museum of History. The museum has also hosted exhibitions on significant events, such as the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli and the Battle of the Coral Sea, which involved the Royal Australian Navy and the United States Navy. The museum's exhibitions are supported by organizations such as the Australian War Memorial, National Maritime Museum, and the Powerhouse Museum.

● Research

The museum's research programs focus on the state's natural history, Anthropology, and Science, with a emphasis on conservation biology, ecology, and paleontology. The museum's researchers collaborate with institutions such as the University of Queensland, James Cook University, and the Australian National University. The museum's research programs have included studies on the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu National Park, and the Murray-Darling Basin, as well as research on significant events, such as the 2010-2011 Queensland floods and the 2019-2020 Australian bushfire season. The museum's research is supported by organizations such as the CSIRO, Australian Research Council, and the National Health and Medical Research Council.

● Locations

The museum has several locations throughout Queensland, including the main campus in Brisbane, as well as regional museums in Cairns, Townsville, and Toowoomba. The museum also has partnerships with other institutions, such as the Queensland Art Gallery, State Library of Queensland, and the University of Southern Queensland. The museum's locations are supported by organizations such as the Queensland Government, Australian Government, and the Local Government Association of Queensland. The museum's regional locations have hosted exhibitions and events, such as the Woodford Folk Festival and the Big Pineapple Festival, which celebrate the state's unique culture and heritage. Category:Museums in Australia