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Natural History Museum Collection

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Take something home with you from the Natural History Shop

Take something home with you from the Natural History Shop
General Museum poster. Drawing of a child leading a dinosaur out of the Museum, with the slogan Take something home with you from the Natural History [Museum] Shop, South Kensington, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Crysotile asbestos

Crysotile asbestos
Scanning electron micrograph of 5-Fold symmetry in crysotile asbestos. Magnification on the 5 x4 transparency = X 600, 000

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Fish Gallery, September 1890

Fish Gallery, September 1890
The Fish Gallery attractions included a 8.5m (28 ft) long basking shark caught near Shanklin, Isle of Wight, and wood from a whaling ship, the Farquharson, pierced by swordfish lances

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Dr Johannes Vogel

Dr Johannes Vogel
Portrait of Dr Vogel, Keeper of Botany at the Natural History Museum, London. Photographed for Museums part in British Association Annual Festival of Science in Cardiff

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Coleoptera sp. metallic beetles

Coleoptera sp. metallic beetles
A pair of gold and silver metallic beetles side by side

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Giant Ground Sloth, Natural History Museum

Giant Ground Sloth, Natural History Museum
Photograph of a Skeleton of the Giant Ground Sloth (Megatherium Americanum). July 1902. Archive ref: PH/173/244 Date: 1902

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Coral Gallery c. 1895

Coral Gallery c. 1895
Photograph of coral display cases by Anthony Gepp. The Coral Gallery opened in 1881 in the West Wing of the Waterhouse Building. Date: 1881

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Pavo cristalus, peacock

Pavo cristalus, peacock
Specimen on display in Gallery 40 at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Reptile Gallery, November 1889

Reptile Gallery, November 1889
The Reptile Gallery displayed a collection of stuffed specimens and skeletons of reptiles, including crocodiles, lizards, snakes and tortoises

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Benitoite

Benitoite was discovered in 1906 near the San Benito river in California which remains the only known locality for this (barium titanium silicate) mineral

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Agate bowl, grey and white

Agate bowl, grey and white
Agate is a decorative variety of cryptocrystalline quartz (silicon dioxide). This bowl specimen is from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Geological Gallery Natural History Museum 1892

Geological Gallery Natural History Museum 1892
Photograph of the Geological Gallery, with American mastodon in the foreground. July 1892. Archive ref: PH/173/243 Date: 1892

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: African elephant in Central Hall, February 1910

African elephant in Central Hall, February 1910
Photographed in 1910 just three years after his arrival, the African elephant later nicknamed George, was obtained from the taxidermists Rowland Ward Ltd

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: The Natural History Museum at Tring

The Natural History Museum at Tring
Gallery 3 at the Natural History Museum at Tring, the sister museum of the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Hummingbird Case

Hummingbird Case
The Hummingbird case on display in the Natural History Museums Bird Gallery

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Iron meteorite

Iron meteorite
This meteorite is the product of atmospheric melting, as are stony achondrites. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Linarite

Linarite is a bright azure blue colour with crystal growth to nearly 25mm. It comprises of (lead copper sulphate hydroxide). Specimen from the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Mastodon in Geological Gallery, December 1919

Mastodon in Geological Gallery, December 1919
The Guide Lecturer, John Henry Leonard, took this shot of two girls inspecting a primitive elephant or mastodon (Mammut americanus), in December 1919

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Firemen, c. 1910 at the Natural History Museum

Firemen, c. 1910 at the Natural History Museum
In 1906, telephonic fire alarms were installed that linked ten points around the Museum with the Firemens Room in the basement and the local Fire Brigade station

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Scaffolding in Central Hall, 1925

Scaffolding in Central Hall, 1925
This photograph, taken in February 1925, marked the cleaning and redecoration of the North and Central Halls by the Office of Works

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Lunar meteorite

Lunar meteorite
Da La Gani 400, a lunar meteorite found in the Sahara Desert

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Beetle collection

Beetle collection
A diverse collection of beetle specimens held in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: A collection of beetles

A collection of beetles
A diverse selection of beetles (coleoptera) from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Lead

Lead (Pb) is a soft but heavy, metallic element. It appears blueish white when freshly cut but quickly tarnishes to dull grey. Specimen from the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: 1872 plan of the Museum by Alfred Waterhouse

1872 plan of the Museum by Alfred Waterhouse
Architectural structure of what is now the Waterhouse Building, ground floor including the Central Hall

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: The De La Beche room

The De La Beche room
The De La Beche meeting room in the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Turdus merula, common blackbird

Turdus merula, common blackbird
Photograph of a female common blackbird, taken in the museum wildlife garden

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: The Christmas Fair at the Natural History Museum, London

The Christmas Fair at the Natural History Museum, London
Christmas Fair chalets outside the Palaeontology wing of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Window detail, the Natural History Museum, London

Window detail, the Natural History Museum, London
Windows on the west pavilion of the Natural History Museum, London. Alfred Waterhouse (1830-1905) designed the museum in the 1860s, and it first opened its doors on Easter Monday 1881

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Gallery 1, The Natural History Museum at Tring

Gallery 1, The Natural History Museum at Tring
The Natural History Museum at Tring. Once the private museum of Lionel Walter, 2nd Baron Rothschild (1868-1937), and part of the Natural History Museum, London since 1937

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Cinnabar

Cinnabar
Twinned dark red cinnabar crystals with small quartz crystals. Cinnabar comprises of (mercury sulphide). Specimen from the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Shale (right) and garnet-mica-schist (left)

Shale (right) and garnet-mica-schist (left)
Shale is sedimentary and garnet-mica-schist is metamorphoc in origin. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Molybdenite

Molybdenite comprises of (molybdenum sulphide) and is a very soft, highly lustrous metallic mineral. Specimen from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Niccolite

Niccolite mineral with metallic lustre, comprises of nickel arsenide. It is also known as coppernickel and nickeline. This specimen is from the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Maculinea arion, large blue butterfly

Maculinea arion, large blue butterfly
Mounted specimens of the large blue butterfly, family Lycaenidae from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Phosphophyllite

Phosphophyllite comprises of (hydrated zinc iron manganese phosphate). Blue-green specimen from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Upnor elephant, 1926, the Natural History Museum, London

Upnor elephant, 1926, the Natural History Museum, London
In 1911 a party of Royal Engineers cut a practice trench on Tower Hill, Upnor, Kent and disturbed several large bones

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Designs for the Natural History Museum, by Alfred Waterhouse

Designs for the Natural History Museum, by Alfred Waterhouse
This album of 66 original drawings includes 10 illustrations made with terracotta wash indicating how Waterhouse intended the finished pieces to appear

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Main Entrance of the Natural History Museum, London

Main Entrance of the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Front entrance to the Natural History Museum, London

Front entrance to the Natural History Museum, London
View of the front entrance to the Natural History Museum, London. The museum was designed by Alfred Waterhouse (1830-1905) and first opened to the public on Easter Monday 1881

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Fortification agate

Fortification agate
A section of fortification agate from Scurdie Ness. Agate is cryptocrystalline quartz. This specimen is from the collections held at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Boys approaching the entrance of the Natural History Museum

Boys approaching the entrance of the Natural History Museum
Reports on the first few months of the Childrens Centre concluded that the majority of the children were under 11, often sent out after breakfast with nothing to do

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Central Hall, the Natural History Museum. 1902

Central Hall, the Natural History Museum. 1902
Photograph of Central Hall, looking north. July 1902. Archive ref: PH/173/241 Date: 1902

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Fossil Mammal Gallery, Natural History Museum

Fossil Mammal Gallery, Natural History Museum
Photograph of the Fossil Mammal Gallery in 1882. Archive ref: PH/173/58 Date: 1882

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: East Gallery 1st floor, Natural History Museum

East Gallery 1st floor, Natural History Museum
Photograph of the East Gallery, first floor. July1892. Archive ref: PH/173/240 Date: 1892

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: West corridor, the Natural History Museum 1882

West corridor, the Natural History Museum 1882
Photograph of the West corridor, with nesting bird display, 1882. Archive ref: PH/173/56 Date: 1882

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Central Hall, the Natural History Museum. 1882

Central Hall, the Natural History Museum. 1882
Photograph of Central Hall, looking east to fossil mammal gallery in 1882. Archive ref: PH/173/55 Date: 1882

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Gazelles in Natural History Museum

Gazelles in Natural History Museum
Photograph of Gazelles in the Lower Mammal Gallery. 5th July 1892 Archive ref: PH/173/3 Date: 1892

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Thomsons Gazelles in Natural History Museum

Thomsons Gazelles in Natural History Museum
Photograph of Thomsons Gazelles in the Lower Mammal Gallery. 5th July 1892. Archive ref: PH/173/4 Date: 1892

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Osteological Gallery. 5th July 1892

Osteological Gallery. 5th July 1892
Photograph of the Osteological Gallery. 5th July 1892. Archive ref: PH/173/2 Date: 1892

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Central Hall. 25th August 1902

Central Hall. 25th August 1902
Photograph of the Natural History Musums Central Hall, 25th August 1902. Archive ref: PH/173/647 Date: 1902

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Natural History Museum, London. August 1902

Natural History Museum, London. August 1902
Photograph of the exterior of The Natural History Museum, August 1902. Archive ref: PH/173/646 Date: 1902

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Mammal Pavilion. 5th July 1892

Mammal Pavilion. 5th July 1892
Photograph of Giraffe and Rhinos in the Mammal Pavilion. 5th July 1892 Archive ref: PH/173/1 Date: 1892

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: North hall cafeteria

North hall cafeteria
The cafeteria in the north hall of the Natural History Museum

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Paleontology Department of the Natural History Museum, Londo

Paleontology Department of the Natural History Museum, Londo
Group photograph of the Paleontology Department of the Natural History Museum, London. Archives 178/3p

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: The Darwin Centre lift

The Darwin Centre lift
The lift within the Darwin Centre of the Natural History Museum

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: The Darwin Centre common room

The Darwin Centre common room

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Horace Donisthorpe

Horace Donisthorpe

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: The colonnades

The colonnades of the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Whales and their relatives

Whales and their relatives
Poster advertising Whales and their relatives exhibition which opened in 1984

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 1987

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 1987
Wildlife Photographer of the Year advertisement poster featuring the photograph Oyster Catcher by Mike Wilkes (Winner: Animal Potraits)

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: The Darwin Centre Phase One at the Natural History Museum, L

The Darwin Centre Phase One at the Natural History Museum, L
Exterior view of the Darwin Centre Phase One at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Astronaut

Astronaut
A model astronaut, on display in the Visions of Earth gallery at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: The Lasting Impressions gallery

The Lasting Impressions gallery at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Atlas

Atlas
Model of the titan Atlas in the Visions of Earth gallery at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Gargoyle

Gargoyle
One of the many gargoyles which adorn the exterior of the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: The Investigate Centre

The Investigate Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: 100 years old in 1981

100 years old in 1981
A poster celebrating the Natural History Museums cenetary in 1981, featuring the winning design from the Blue Peter Natural History Museum Centenary Poster competition

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: The Tank Room, Darwin Centre

The Tank Room, Darwin Centre
The Tank Room in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: The Gavin De Beer room

The Gavin De Beer room

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Natural History Museum flag

Natural History Museum flag flying at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Charles DarwinCharles Robert Darwin (1809-1882)

Charles DarwinCharles Robert Darwin (1809-1882)
A statue of Charles Darwin, by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, on the stairs of the Central hall at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: Elephant; Walk Quietly

Elephant; Walk Quietly
A Natural History Museum poster with an elephant design asking visitors to walk quietly. 1968

Background imageNatural History Museum Collection: General Herbarium, Darwin Centre

General Herbarium, Darwin Centre
A photograph of the General Herbarium in the Darwin Centre, showing examples of specimens from the collection. Photographed by Kevin Webb, May 2011



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