Natural Science Collections at Herbert Art Gallery and Museum Coventry

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Welcome to

Natural Science Collections

in West Midlands Museums and Botanical Gardens

Coventry: Herbert Art Gallery and Museum

Herbert Art Gallery and Museum,

Jordan Well,

Coventry,

West Midlands

CV1 5QP

Telephone: 02476 832381

Fax: 02476 832410

Email: artsandheritage@coventry.gov.uk

Primary Contact: Steve Lane (Keeper of Natural History)

Telephone: 02476 832374

Fax: 02476 832410

Email: steve.lane@coventry.gov.uk

The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum holds around 185,000 specimens with main strengths in entomology (approx 140,000), bird eggs (approx 10,000, 9th largest public collection in the UK) and world molluscs (approx 25,000). Also of note is a small number of cased Spicer fish.

A drawer from the Greenwood Collection of exotic Lepidoptera

Insects are actively collected by staff and their associates and by research students. There is also an ongoing programme of taxidermy. A booklet has been produced which gives more information about the collections. It is entitled 'Natural History at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum'. Details: Gallery Display; Recent exhibition 'Us & Them' addressed subjective views on a range of emotive issues including bloodsports and illegal trade in endangered species – ended September 2003.

A display of illegal items seized by HM Customs & Excise Officers; Us & Them Exhibition.

Identification:

The collections, particularly entomology, are used regularly by students and local entomologists as a reference tool for identification. The entomology collections hold significant data and are identified to a high degree of accuracy.

Research:

The entomology collections have a long-established reputation as a research resource both regionally and nationally. They are increasingly referred to in published papers in National Journals and their data requested by National Recording Schemes. Other collections which have received attention in recent years are the mammal collection (DNA analysis and species reintroduction) and the bird egg collection (effects of changes in climate and egg-laying). Events programme; The collections are used fairly regularly at events. Recent examples are the Urban Ranger Service workshops and National Science Week events.

Enquiries from Environmental Services Pest Control, Food and Trading Standards sections are frequent. Private Pest Control Companies also ring for advice.

Website: http://www.theherbert.org

This website has a section devoted to Natural History

Education programme:

The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum Key Stage 2 Science Resources package is an on-site resource that allows schools to work with the Natural History Collections in four different modules (Bones & Skeletons, Habitats, Interdependence and Adaptation, Rocks and Life Cycles). Worksheets and Teacher's Notes have been produced for each module. Further expansion of this resource is expected soon.

Collection Database:

Approximately two-thirds of the Natural History Collection (some 120,000 specimens) have been input onto the Calm 2000+ database. This is possibly the greatest number of data-based biology specimens of any UK Museum. There is a public access computer terminal in the reception area of the Museum, which is regularly updated.

Exhibition/Exhibit Preparation:

A permanent Natural History Gallery 'Elements', is due in 2006. This aesthetic celebration of nature's spaces is effectively an art installation that will combine high tech audio-visual material with collection items to produce a highly sensory experience for the visitor. The exhibition will specifically target people with disabilities and special needs. A small mobile exhibition using themes from the permanent gallery, is expected to tour care homes and hospitals in the region in advance of and in conjunction with the permanent exhibition.

Opening Times: Monday-Saturday 10am-5.30pm Sunday 12 noon-5.00pm