What
The Lapworth Museum of Geology is located within the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. The museum was founded in 1880 when the trustees of the newly formed Mason College of Science purchased a collection of about 1,750 fossils from the Dudley area for £250, according to Jon Clatworthy, director of the Lapworth.
From 1880, the collections grew under the guidance of Charles Lapworth, the first professor of geology at Mason College and a leading geological figure at that time.
Collection
The Lapworth Museum’s 200,000-strong geological collection is made up of fossils, minerals, rocks and an archive, and includes significant material from many of the most influential geologists, scientists, industrialists and natural history collectors and dealers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum and its collections were Designated in 2008.
Mission
Throughout his career Lapworth championed the work of amateur geologists and encouraged the public to learn about, and appreciate, the geological and natural sciences – something that is still a core function of the museum today.
Highlights
Clatworthy says the museum’s fish collections and fossils from the Wenlock Limestone of Dudley are firm favourites with visitors. Researchers are particularly interested in its palaeontology collection, which contains about 1,000 zoological and botanical type specimens.
Another highlight includes a report of the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 by the captain of a ship that sailed so close that for days it was covered in volcanic debris and barely able to keep afloat.
Help at hand
As well as its director, the museum employs two assistant curators and an academic keeper. Five volunteers and undergraduate geology students help with conservation projects and other activities.
Budget
The museum’s annual running costs of about £340,000 are met by a £300,000 grant from the University of Birmingham and £40,000 from the Higher Education Funding Council for England. Admission is free.
Visits
21,000 people in 2011.
Sticky moment
“It was more of a damp moment following a flood in 2005,” says Clatworthy. “The archive was a foot deep in water, which was pouring in through the ceiling and light fittings.”
Luckily, there was only very minor damage to the collection.
Survival tip
“Try to ensure the collections are accessible to as wide an audience as possible and are used effectively and appropriately,” says Clatworthy.
Future plans
The Lapworth recently secured a £130,000 Heritage Lottery Fund development grant to progress plans to apply for a full grant for a major redevelopment project.
www.birmingham.ac.uk/facilities/lapworth-museum/index.aspx
The Lapworth Museum of Geology is located within the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. The museum was founded in 1880 when the trustees of the newly formed Mason College of Science purchased a collection of about 1,750 fossils from the Dudley area for £250, according to Jon Clatworthy, director of the Lapworth.
From 1880, the collections grew under the guidance of Charles Lapworth, the first professor of geology at Mason College and a leading geological figure at that time.
Collection
The Lapworth Museum’s 200,000-strong geological collection is made up of fossils, minerals, rocks and an archive, and includes significant material from many of the most influential geologists, scientists, industrialists and natural history collectors and dealers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum and its collections were Designated in 2008.
Mission
Throughout his career Lapworth championed the work of amateur geologists and encouraged the public to learn about, and appreciate, the geological and natural sciences – something that is still a core function of the museum today.
Highlights
Clatworthy says the museum’s fish collections and fossils from the Wenlock Limestone of Dudley are firm favourites with visitors. Researchers are particularly interested in its palaeontology collection, which contains about 1,000 zoological and botanical type specimens.
Another highlight includes a report of the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 by the captain of a ship that sailed so close that for days it was covered in volcanic debris and barely able to keep afloat.
Help at hand
As well as its director, the museum employs two assistant curators and an academic keeper. Five volunteers and undergraduate geology students help with conservation projects and other activities.
Budget
The museum’s annual running costs of about £340,000 are met by a £300,000 grant from the University of Birmingham and £40,000 from the Higher Education Funding Council for England. Admission is free.
Visits
21,000 people in 2011.
Sticky moment
“It was more of a damp moment following a flood in 2005,” says Clatworthy. “The archive was a foot deep in water, which was pouring in through the ceiling and light fittings.”
Luckily, there was only very minor damage to the collection.
Survival tip
“Try to ensure the collections are accessible to as wide an audience as possible and are used effectively and appropriately,” says Clatworthy.
Future plans
The Lapworth recently secured a £130,000 Heritage Lottery Fund development grant to progress plans to apply for a full grant for a major redevelopment project.
www.birmingham.ac.uk/facilities/lapworth-museum/index.aspx
