Nature collected exhibition features a selection of items from the museum's natural science collections. It includes rare and interesting fossils, colourful geological mineral specimens, Victorian mounted birds and animal horns, enormous exotic shells, skilful artwork and stunning photographs. Alongside these artefacts are fascinating stories about the people who collected or produced them. Some of these collectors were important Victorian naturalists. Some were also key figures in the early history of the Penrith Museum and served as Honorary Curators.
The exhibition is the result of a 'Natural Science Collections Review' which took place in 2010. The review and the exhibition have been jointed funded by a generous grant from MLA Renaissance North West and Museums Association's Effective Collections Scheme. Six museums in the northwest region were selected for this funding and the museum is very grateful for the financial and professional support received. Two specialists, a geologist and a botanist, were able to visit the museum to help identify specimens and advise on their significance. The result is a better understanding of what the collections contain, and more effective use of them in displays and for educational purposes.
The museum holds a collection of approximately 1000 fossils, 450 minerals and 290 rocks. Most of the material is local; there are also a large number of fossil specimens from the chalk deposits of southern England and France. Some of the Cumbrian mineral specimens are rare, and would now be unobtainable. Much of the fossil material was from the collection of Admiral Robert Wauchope, and formed part of the original museum collection at its founding in 1883.
There are also small collections of butterflies and moths, mounted deer heads and pairs of horns, mounted birds and mammals, herbarium sheets and shells.
Exhibition runs from Tuesday 26 October to Wednesday 11 January 2012.
Museum Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 10am - 4pm.
The museum's opening hours are the same as Penrith Tourist Information Centre.
Loan, donate or bequeath to Penrith and Eden Museum
Should you wish to loan, donate or bequeath any objects to the Museum the curators will only be to happy to receive them.
Museum Curators
Penrith and Eden Museum curators are available to answer questions on current and future exhibitions as well as any other questions concerning the museum and its collections:
- Contact: Dr Sydney T Chapman or Mrs Judith Clarke, MA AMA, Joint Curators,
- Address: Penrith Museum, Robinson School, Penrith CA11 7PT
- Telephone: 01768 865105
- Email: museum@eden.gov.uk
