‘Exhibitions teach the earth’s story, showing the minerals and chemicals that helped to make it. Details of the explorers whose endeavours first informed others of the presence of such natural riches, are highlighted in numerous displays’
As a long-time admirer of the natural world I have, for the last forty years or so, wanted to visit the Natural History Museum in London. Life had always got in the way, with the opportunity never quite presenting itself, until now that is. A few days spent in London allowed the box to be ticked, the bucket-list to be updated.
From a young age, I was fascinated by nature. I would explore local woods, create pencil sketches of birds, dip nets into ponds and look at the wider world’s flora and fauna in encyclopaedias. Becoming an adult brought a heightened respect for the natural world and an increased awareness that all is not well with our fragile environment.
And so, with much anticipation, I was finally approaching the magnificent facade of the Natural History Museum. What should I expect? Would my visit be a day of delight or one of dismay?
Part of me could not wait to explore all the nooks and crannies of this vast treasure trove. Part of me wondered if this would be a technological tidal wave of digital information or would the more traditional taxidermist’s representations be common-place in this world-renowned institution. Whatever the experience would bring, I couldn’t wait!
At last, I walked under the ornate archway and entered Aladdin’s cave. Opened in 1881, this grand building’s spires, stained glass windows and sculptured archways give it a cathedral-like feel. For many, its exhibits clearly combine to create an almost religious experience. If natural history is your thing, this is your Mecca.
I was advised that visiting on a weekday could mean spending time in the company of many school groups. This was certainly true; school children from eight to sixteen chatted and gazed at the wonders on display. Teachers did their best to control their classes and hoped their friendly, firm advice would mean they didn’t lose anyone whilst they wandered and explored the various zones.
Expectations were high and whilst you cannot fail to be impressed by the building and many of its exhibits, other features prompted varied thoughts.
A mix of skeletons, fossils, animated displays, paintings, sketches, audio visual presentations and stuffed creatures compete for people’s interest. From volcanoes to vipers, coral to crabs, eagles to elephants, lizards to leopards, sequoias to a stegosaurus, geological features and the world’s creatures, great and small, are all on view. Palaeontologists and naturalists are profiled for those with a keen interest. Global events and environmental catastrophes are explained.
Exhibitions teach the earth’s story, showing the minerals and chemicals that helped to make it. Details of the explorers whose endeavours first informed others of the presence of such natural riches, are highlighted in numerous displays. Human evolution is explained via models and presentations.
But perhaps there are wider questions here. What does it mean to be a museum these days?
One wonders in today’s age of twenty-four hour news, instant online global video, social media networks and immersive high definition technology, if the days of static displays are numbered as stimulating, educational sources?
Is a drawing or painting enough these days? Is a line sketch or painting enough to fascinate and hold attention? Is a poster of detailed information equipped to interest all generations? For a child, is it enough to simply read about a particular animal, person or event? (as it was fifty years ago for me).
In contrast, there is no doubt that standing in close proximity to the skeleton of a dinosaur makes an immediate impact. The sheer size and impressive frame of the creature gives unmistakable perspective.
Many major museums and institutions are enhancing the visitor experience these days. Technology is transforming simple ‘look and learn’ experiences into interactive engagement. In the Natural History Museum, simulated earthquakes and large 3D screens now educate us and allow us to experience what other parts of the world see and hear.
State-of-the-art lecture theatres are learning-arenas, helping to inform experienced professionals and young children alike. Animatronics allow a previously static model to become a roaring, lunging Tyrannosaurus Rex.
As we peruse the exhibits, international students make polite approaches to ask questions for their projects (in our case, a girl from Singapore who spoke perfect English). We noted visitors from so many different countries; Danes, Brazilians, Spanish, Chinese, French and American visitors all stared with intent. At times British attendees seemed to be in the minority. There is clearly a voracious appetite for such places as providers of knowledge.
Charles Darwin could not have imagined the advances in travel and technology over recent years which would allow such seismic changes in the way the world’s population gains its knowledge of events and creatures from by-gone days.
Based on our visit, there was no disputing the wide-eyed fascination on so many school children’s faces as we wandered around the variety of exhibits. So many gasps and wows could be heard as we moved from zone to zone.
Far from having a negative impact on the day, it was a pleasure to see the open-mouthed astonishment as some of the younger children viewed numerous features and artefacts.
Immediately on entering the building, a skeleton of a blue whale hangs majestically from the ornate roof of the beautiful Hintze Hall. Young faces stared upwards in awe; motionless, speechless. No more chattering or giggling. If there was any doubt regarding a museum’s place in educating future generations, the look on these children’s faces gave a resounding response. They were truly mesmerized.
From a personal viewpoint, some exhibits didn’t quite meet my demanding expectations. I was naturally drawn to the zone that included fish. If I was being hyper-critical the models of UK freshwater fish looked a little tired and didn’t warrant a photograph. Specimen-sized roach, perch and pike sat alongside an eel, salmon parr and stone loach as examples of our freshwater piscine species. Although many other visitors clearly found these interesting, I was left a little underwhelmed. I guess nothing will compare to the release of a wriggling, writhing, beautiful fish back to its home. For those not fortunate enough to experience the enjoyment of those feelings, museum displays clearly work.
It’s unmistakeable that this wonderful place has to continue to develop and modernise to retain the attention of the younger generation. Whilst it currently does a great job in meeting an ever-challenging brief to educate, continuous development is a prerequisite if there is to be a long term place for such museums in our society. Curators are now exploring hand-held portable devices offering additional images and details. Personalized interactive tours, virtual reality and longer, more engaging experiences are surely the way forward to educate those who have grown up immersed in such technology. Online digital galleries, downloads and apps will no doubt increase to provide means for those unable to visit in person.
There is no substitute for a walk in your local countryside to engage with your own regional natural history but, in order to appreciate the wider world and its significant past, surely museums have a critical role to play.
The Natural History Museum is dependent on donations and sponsors, entry is free. I for one hope they continue to achieve the required levels of support to allow the changing face of their facility to keep pace with society’s expectations; not only to bring the past to life but to remind us that we all have a responsibility to safeguard our own local wildlife and their habitats. After all, many of the species so well known to us have been present on our precious planet longer than us.
Writing & Images Carl Hier – Autumn 2023
You must be logged in to post a comment.