Natural Science Collections at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery Stoke-on-Trent

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Welcome to

Natural Science Collections

in West Midlands Museums and Botanical Gardens

Stoke-on-Trent: The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery

Bethesda Street,

City Centre,

Stoke-on-Trent

ST1 3DW

Contact: Don Steward, Collections Officer (Natural History)

Tel: 01782 232323

email: museums@stoke.gov.uk

The Natural History Collections in general:

In total the Natural History collections - plants, animals, rocks and fossils - number in the region of 130,000 specimens. They have evolved from initial collections made by members of the North Staffordshire Field Club (established in 1865) and formed the basis of the North Staffordshire Natural History Museum which opened in 1908 in conjunction with the Hanley Corporation Museum.

At the opening of the Museum it was noted that:

"The Committee [of the North Staffordshire Field Club] also came to the wise decision that the museum should mainly comprise exhibits relative to Staffordshire, and that it should be made as representative as possible of the flora, fauna, and geology of the County. As will be seen, this decision has been adhered to, and there is every promise that in course of time the various collections will represent very adequately a County which is rich in natural history treasurers."

This policy to develop the regional significance of the collections has been continued to the present day to give the current Museum the most comprehensive collection of Staffordshire natural history material anywhere in the world.

The Botany Collections:

There are around 15,000 plant and fungi specimens. These include about 6,000 specimens from Eric Edees, the author of the 1972 'Flora of Staffordshire'.

The Geology Collections:

Approximately 12,000 rocks, minerals and fossils - most of which have a particular focus on the Carboniferous and Triassic horizons of the local area. Highlights of the collection include around 900 Carboniferous Coal Measure (mainly fish) fossils amassed by John Ward and 1,000 north Midland minerals collected by W.A.S. Sarjeant.

The Zoology Collections:

There is a large collection of over 100,000 animal specimens, the majority of which are species which are found in and around the Potteries. They cover most of the animal kingdom from tiny invertebrates to larger mammals. Highlights include 22,000 land and freshwater molluscs, 6,500 diptera (flies), 18,000 lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), 7,000 bird eggs and 23,000 coleoptera (beetles).

The Natural History Gallery:

Shown in their natural habitats, this spacious gallery has examples of the animals, fossils, plants, and rocks which you can find in and around Stoke-on-Trent. There are exciting interactive displays and activities here. The gallery is very popular with children and recent additions have been made to help improve communication skills of the under 5's. We also have a Discovery Zone that is being developed to help you understand nature.

Accessing our Collection:

Only a very small amount of our collection is on permanent display but all can be used for scientific, educational and artistic purposes. To view items in store please contact the Collections team at the Museum to arrange an appointment.

Open daily:

March - October: Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sun 2 - 5pm

November - February: Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm, Sunday 1 - 4pm

(closed Christmas Day - New Years Day inclusive)

Admission Free, Donations Welcome

What to see: A warm and friendly welcome awaits at one of Britain's leading museums where the unique combination of 'product and place' is celebrated in its outstanding displays. With pottery that will win your heart, galleries that win awards and the Spitfire that won a war, nothing can compare with what awaits you at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery. Enjoy a light lunch or afternoon snack in our relaxing Café Museum and browse in The Foyer Shop for unique quality cards, gifts, books and souvenirs of the Potteries.