Natural History Museum New For 2012
The Natural History Museum
London
By David Savage
The Natural History Museum in London along with other museums will soon be celebrating 10 years of FREE ADMISSION to the public. Since free admission was re-introduced they have seen their visitor numbers increase from 1.8 million to 4.5 million making it one of the UK’s top visitor attractions. It has the nation’s finest collection of natural history specimens. It was opened in Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London in 1881 and still remains there today.
Once you walk into the Central Hall of this fabulous great old building you will see the giant Diplodocus where they are currently running their I Love Dippy appeal. For a £3 donation, text DIPPY to 70007 or use the donation kiosks under Dippy’s tail, you can Light Up Dippy and make it Roar. All proceeds from this will help to redevelop the iconic Central Hall and reveal architecture hidden for 20 years and bring out new displays and treasures from behind the scenes. You can find out more about the I Love Dippy appeal from www.nhm.ac.uk or
www.facebook.com/groups/wgtdreviewers/#!/naturalhistorymuseum?sk=app_208195102528120.
For 2012 the museum will have some fantastic new displays and exhibits. These will include (there will be a charge for temporary exhibitions):
Scott’s Last Expedition: 20/01/2012 – 02/09/2012 (This will not be a free exhibition)
Wild Planet: 23/03/2012 – 30/09/2012 (free exhibition)
Animal Inside Out: 06/04/2012 – 16/09/2012 (This will not be a free exhibition)
Treasures: 30/11/2012 onwards (free exhibition)
Extinction: January – September 2013
Photographer of the Year 2012: October 2012 (This will not be a free exhibition)
See the Natural History Museum website www.nhm.ac.uk for details as prices vary.
New for 2012
Scott’s Last Expedition
Explore Robert Falcon Scott’s epic Terra Nova expedition to Antarctica in a new exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London.
Scott’s Last Expeditiongoes beyond the well-documented journey to the South Pole and the death of the Polar Party, revealing powerful tales of endurance and celebrating the many scientific achievements.
The Terra Nova returned from Antarctica with crates, jars and bottles containing a large number of zoological and geological specimens, contributing to what is now known about the continent. The exhibition reunites for the first time real artefacts used by Scott and his team together with scientific specimens collected on the 1910–1913 expedition. Visitors can also walk around a life-size representation of Scott’s base-camp hut that still survives in Antarctica.
Scott’s Last Expedition is sponsored by Catlin Group.
Treasures
The Natural History Museum unveils the best of its world-renowned collection in this new permanent gallery, opening in November 2012. For the first time, the Museum will bring together the most valuable and significant specimens, highlighting not only their scientific value but also their historical, social and cultural worth.
This array of wonders includes unique, famous and surprising specimens selected from the worlds of botany, entomology, mineralogy, zoology and palaeontology. Each specimen has its own, unique story to tell. Highlights include the famous Archaeopteryx lithographica fossil, which showed that modern birds are the descendants of small meat-eating dinosaurs; the dinosaur teeth discovered by Mary Ann Mantell which inspired the theory that giant reptiles once walked the Earth; and a rare first edition of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species.
Treasures will be located at the very heart of the Museum, at the head of the grand staircase in the Central Hall. The gallery will be an opportunity to experience and appreciate the depth, variety and value of the Museum’s collection in one beautiful display.
Wild Planet
The wildest landscapes and most endangered species will be showcased in a free outdoor exhibition running throughout the summer of the Olympics. Wild Planet will feature 80 classic shots from Wildlife Photographer of the Year – the world’s most prestigious wildlife photography competition and an international leader in providing new insights into the natural world.
Each year, the best of the entries are showcased in a highly popular exhibition at the Museum before touring regionally and internationally. Wild Planet showcases a special selection of these past award-winning images captioned with the story of how they were taken and insights into the species captured on film, inspiring and educating a new generation of wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts.
The Wild Planet experience includes a designated retail store located behind the exhibition, offering a unique collection of beautifully designed gifts, inspired by the exhibition images.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition is owned by the Natural History Museum, London and BBC Wildlife Magazine.
Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2012
See the environment around you with new eyes and be inspired by the latest winning entries in the world’s most prestigious showcase of wildlife photography.
Veolia EnvironnementWildlife Photographer of the Yearis owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine. It is the international leader in the artistic representation of the natural world. The exhibition showcases the very best photographic images of nature, giving visitors an insight into the beauty, drama and variety of our natural environment.
The winning images are displayed in a stunning exhibition launched at the Natural History Museum that then tours the UK and overseas. Through an interactive installation, visitors to the exhibition can find out what the judges, scientists and photographers think about particular images. In addition, visitors can select their favourite image or choose from a selection of prints to have in their own home.
I would recommend visiting the museum. It is great fun and lots to do. Make sure you check their website for what they have on and any special events that might be running. It is a great day out for the whole family. I would suggest getting there early as there is a lot to see and do.
Visiting the Museum
Opening times
Open every day 10.00–17.50
Every last Friday of the month (apart from December) until 23.00.
Last admission 17.30
Closed 24–26 December
Entrance to the Natural History Museum is free.