Beetles at the Natural History Museum

[Paul mabbott]

If you're quick:
What's on - Natural History Museum

[Wild-Woman]

Hmm. I was very disappointed when I last went there.
Everything was interactive gadgetry that meant nothing and no real collections to observe.
The archive walk with a guide to see the Darwin collection and preserved species was good however.

[poschiavanus]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Hmm. I was very disappointed when I last went there.

Seconded.

I popped in just before xmas in 2006 to see if they had any nice stuff in the shop for kids' presents. A few years ago they had a super set of dinosaur models, and I was hoping for something similar. No luck. Next to the shop was a small insect exhibition: quite nicely done, but with so little information that I was through it in 15 minutes. I now regret not poring over those old classic insect collections in museums when I was a kid.

Mind you the NHM has always been a bit of a fraud. You have to look very hard to find that the Diplodocus skeleton in the main hall is a plaster cast of the type which is in the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh.

The best way to enjoy it is to go with a young child. Everything is new, and their sense of wonder is worth sharing. Years ago my godson just kept walking round the Diplodocus in awe.

poschiavanus

[Paul mabbott]

I've been disappointed with the exhibitions for many years - it was very educational as well as interesting to be wander around the systematic galley of invertebrates but I don't think it was all that interesting to most youngsters or even adults who weren't interested in entomology or evolution!

The revised exhibits do seem to get youngsters interested so not so bad.

I think that those who are very keen will get take advantage of the tours, talks and special activities which are now being produced. A lot of work goes into them!

Originally Posted by poschiavanus

Seconded.

I popped in just before xmas in 2006 to see if they had any nice stuff in the shop for kids' presents. A few years ago they had a super set of dinosaur models, and I was hoping for something similar. No luck. Next to the shop was a small insect exhibition: quite nicely done, but with so little information that I was through it in 15 minutes. I now regret not poring over those old classic insect collections in museums when I was a kid.

Mind you the NHM has always been a bit of a fraud. You have to look very hard to find that the Diplodocus skeleton in the main hall is a plaster cast of the type which is in the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh.

The best way to enjoy it is to go with a young child. Everything is new, and their sense of wonder is worth sharing. Years ago my godson just kept walking round the Diplodocus in awe.

poschiavanus