The Redevelopment of the Museum of Zoology, Cambridge
The Museum of Zoology houses a collection of scientifically important zoological specimens designated as being of outstanding historical and international significance. We have been closed since June 2013 due to a major redevelopment supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). This will enable complete modernisation of the public galleries, the creation of a new learning space, online access to our collections, and new, state of the art environmentally controlled museum stores.
Over 3 million specimens, including thousands on display in the Museum gallery, had to be packed up and moved into the new purpose built stores in a space of 19 months. This was completed in January 2015 due to our fantastic team of volunteers known as the 'Skeleton Crew'. The volunteer team were trained by UCM Conservator Kirstie Williams to decant the museum gallery, packing everything from Charles Darwin's spirit collection to packing and moving an extinct Caribbean Monk Seal. The volunteer program is overseen by conservators Natalie Jones and Vicky Singleton.
Now into Phase 2 of the redevelopment we are focussed on getting all the specimens ready for display. We are now based in the conservation lab working on a range of specimens, from beetle's to boa's, mammoth's to moa's!
Over 3 million specimens, including thousands on display in the Museum gallery, had to be packed up and moved into the new purpose built stores in a space of 19 months. This was completed in January 2015 due to our fantastic team of volunteers known as the 'Skeleton Crew'. The volunteer team were trained by UCM Conservator Kirstie Williams to decant the museum gallery, packing everything from Charles Darwin's spirit collection to packing and moving an extinct Caribbean Monk Seal. The volunteer program is overseen by conservators Natalie Jones and Vicky Singleton.
Now into Phase 2 of the redevelopment we are focussed on getting all the specimens ready for display. We are now based in the conservation lab working on a range of specimens, from beetle's to boa's, mammoth's to moa's!