The Natural History Museum Collection

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The De La Beche room
The De La Beche meeting room in 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

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

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

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

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

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

Phosphophyllite comprises of (hydrated zinc iron manganese phosphate). Blue-green specimen from the collections of 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

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

Main Entrance of 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Natural History Museum, Tring, UK C016 / 6116
Gallery of stuffed animals at the Natural History Museum at Tring, UK

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

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

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

The Darwin Centre common room

Horace Donisthorpe

The colonnades of the Natural History Museum, London

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

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

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

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

The Lasting Impressions gallery at the Natural History Museum, London

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

Gargoyle
One of the many gargoyles which adorn the exterior of the Natural History Museum, London. Alfred Waterhouse (1830-1905) designed the museum in the 1860s

The Investigate Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

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

The Gavin De Beer room

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

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

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

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

Gates of the Natural History Museum, London
An exterior view of the Natural History Museums gates and railings in the snow. Alfred Waterhouse (1830-1905) designed the museum in the 1860s, and it first opened its doors on Easter Monday 1881

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Step into a world of wonder and discovery at the Natural History Museum. From its fascinating exhibits to its rich history, this institution is a treasure trove for nature enthusiasts. In 1890, the Fish Gallery opened its doors, showcasing an array of aquatic wonders that mesmerized visitors. Dr Johannes Vogel's expertise in marine life brought these creatures to life, leaving spectators in awe of their beauty and diversity. Among the museum's prized possessions are the Coleoptera sp. Metallic beetles - shimmering jewels of the insect world. Their vibrant colors and intricate patterns captivate both scientists and art lovers alike. Imagine standing next to the towering skeleton of a Giant Ground Sloth; it's hard not to feel small in comparison. This incredible creature once roamed our planet, reminding us of Earth's ancient past. The Pavo cristalus peacock struts proudly through our halls, displaying its magnificent plumage for all to admire. Its vivid colors symbolize nature's ability to create breathtaking works of art. Enter the Reptile Gallery from November 1889 and be transported into a realm where snakes slither gracefully and lizards bask under artificial sunlight. Witness firsthand how these cold-blooded creatures adapt and thrive in their unique habitats. Marvel at Benitoite - a rare gemstone found only in California - as it sparkles with hues ranging from deep blue to violet under carefully placed lighting. Its allure lies not only in its beauty but also in its scarcity. An agate bowl sits elegantly on display, showcasing shades of grey and white that have been shaped by geological forces over millions of years. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly ordinary objects can hold extraordinary stories within them. The Geological Gallery takes you on an immersive journey through time itself; witness landscapes change before your eyes as continents shift and mountains rise. Explore rocks formed by volcanic eruptions or carved by flowing rivers – each telling tales etched in stone.