Visit Oxford University Museum Of Natural History - 13th June 2012
Displayed below are a number of photographs taken with permission of the museum.
Having completed our mini tour of the outside of the museum and a brief talk on the internal design and and layout, we were taken up to the storage area where the skins are kept. It was here that we initially started to photograph and measure the skins we had requested to see. There are some 17,000 skins, many dating back to the 1800s and a strong smell of camphor permeates the place as the museum has a constant battle with 'museum beetles' which can reek havoc with the collection. Additional protection for each bird is provided by storage in resealable plastic bags.
Following coffee in the staff rest room, Malgosia very kindly let us continue in her laboratory where we had much more room to to move around and study the skins. Time passed more quickly than anticipated and at about 1 o'clock we had to leave as preparations were made for the next group of visitors.
All in all I think it is fair to say we had a great time and are very grateful to Malgosia and the museum for allowing us behind the scenes and looking after us so well - it was very much appreciated. I hope that we can arrange another visit in the future but in the mean time I would recommend a visit to you all as I am sure you will enjoy it. The museum is also connected to the Pitt Rivers museum so you can kill two birds with one stone (sorry!).
Following coffee in the staff rest room, Malgosia very kindly let us continue in her laboratory where we had much more room to to move around and study the skins. Time passed more quickly than anticipated and at about 1 o'clock we had to leave as preparations were made for the next group of visitors.
All in all I think it is fair to say we had a great time and are very grateful to Malgosia and the museum for allowing us behind the scenes and looking after us so well - it was very much appreciated. I hope that we can arrange another visit in the future but in the mean time I would recommend a visit to you all as I am sure you will enjoy it. The museum is also connected to the Pitt Rivers museum so you can kill two birds with one stone (sorry!).