Geology in Northumbrian Museums

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Scrutton, Colin, Editor Northumbrian rocks and landscape: a field guide. 2004. 2nd edition. Published by the Yorkshire Geological Society . Copyright Yorkshire Geological Society, images Copyright Karen Atkinson and Colin Scrutton.


By Steve McLean Hancock Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne


Introduction

The museums listed in this guide are situated within the counties of Northumberland, Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Cleveland north of the River Tees. Local museums with geological collections or displays present an ideal starting point from which to investigate the geology of the immediate area. Such institutions tend to collect locally or regionally and often possess top quality specimens acquired over a long period of time, many from localities which are no longer accessible. This is particularly true considering the extensive mining history of the area and the quantity of specimens which have found their way into museums as a direct result. In addition, extensive U.K. or indeed world collections are not uncommon, usually resulting from the prodigious efforts of 19th century collectors during the 'Golden Age' of geology.

In the area represented by this guide, there are three principal geological collections housed in museums. By far the largest is the collection owned by the Natural History Society of Northumbria at the Hancock Museum in Newcastle (currently managed by Tyne and Wear Museums). The earliest part of this collection dates from the beginning of the 19th century and now contains approximately 50 000 specimens, the largest proportion of which are local Carboniferous and Permian fossils. There are over 8000 mineral specimens, principally from the North Pennine Orefield.

The second largest collection, located at Sunderland Museum, is owned by Tyne and Wear Museums. Although the oldest recorded specimen dates back to 1815, the rest of the collection was begun in 1836 when the Sunderland Natural History and Antiquarian Society was founded. There are approximately 20 000 geological specimens, the largest part consisting of Permian fossils and rocks from the Zechstein strata of northeast England. The mineral collection contains over 4000 specimens collected principally from the North Pennine Orefield.

The third largest collection in the area is owned by Cleveland County Council and is housed at the Southlands Centre in Middlesbrough. The geological collection dates from 1975 and currently numbers 12–15 000 specimens, including minerals from northern England, especially the north Pennines, the Lake District and Caldbeck Fells, and regional Carboniferous, Permian and Jurassic fossils.

Museums

1. Alnwick

Museum name and address Museum of Antiquities, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1NQ, Tel. (01665) 510777
Collections World wide, Regional, minerals (particular strength), geological library
Admission charge Yes
General opening hours April–Oct daily
Website https://www.alnwickcastle.com/

2. Ashington

Museum name and address Woodhorn Colliery Museum Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, Ashington, Northumberland, Tel: (01670) 856968
Displays Social and industrial history of mining and mining communities in southeast Northumberland, working winding engine
Admission charge No
General opening hours Wed.–Sun. all year
Website https://museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/woodhorn-museum/

3. Barnard Castle

Museum name and address The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 8NP. Tel. (01833) 690606
Collections Regional (Northern England generally, Northumberland , Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria]), UK, World wide, minerals, rocks fossils (Carboniferous plants and rocks minerals and rocks from around the world)
Admission charge Yes
General opening hours all week, all year.
Website https://www.bowesmuseum.org.uk/

4. Beamish

Museum name and address The North of England Open Air Museum, Beamish, Co. Durham, DH9 ORG, Tel. (0191) 3704000
Displays Social history of Coal Mining, reconstructed pre-WW1 coal mine
Collections Photographic records, archive, geological library (relating to lead, coal and ironstone mining in North East England)
Catalogues Access to catalogues of Photographic records, archive, geological library collections by appointment
Sales Geological publications for sale., mining
Admission charge Yes
General opening hours Summer all week, winter closed Mon. and Fri closed over Christmas period.
Website https://www.beamish.org.uk/ www.beamish-museum.co.uk/

5. Berwick

Museum name and address Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Museum and Art Gallery, The Clock Block, Berwick Barracks, Ravensdowne, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 1DQ, TeL (01289 330044 ext. 269).
Collections Local, UK, minerals, rocks, fossils, geological library
Enquiry Service
Admission charge Yes
General opening hours Summer, all week; Winter, Wed.–Sun.
Website https://museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/berwick-museum-art-gallery/

6 Chillingham

Museum name and address Chillingham Castle, Chillingham, Northumberland, NE66 5NI, Tel. (01668) 215359
Displays Local, (very small, Carboniferous plants)
Temporary exhibitions Ask museum for details
Collections Local, fossils (Carboniferous plants, very small)
Admission charge Yes
General opening hours Easter-30 Sept., Winter by appointment.
Website www.chillingham-castle.com/

7. Hartlepool

Museum name and address Museum of Hartlepool, Jackson Dock, Hartlepool, TS24 0XZ, TeL (01429) 860077.
Collections Regional (Northern England generally, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria), World Wide, (small), minerals, rocks, fossils, geological library
Geological activities Occasional
Admission charge No
General opening hours All week, all year

8. Middlesborough

Museum name and address Dorman Museum, Linthorpe Road, Middlesborough, Cleveland, Tel. (01642) 813781
Displays Local Regional, Northern England [generally Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria], General geology
Temporary Exhibitions ask museum for details
Collections Local, Regional (Cleveland, Northern England [generally Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria]), UK, World Wide, minerals (particular strength), rocks, fossils. Photographic records, Archive, geological library.
Catalogues Unpublished catalogues can be made available for study
Enquiry Service Professional geologist on staff
Geological activities Ask museum for details
Sales Geological publications for sale
Admission charge No
General opening hours All year, Tues–Sun. Study and laboratory facilities available
Website www.dormanmuseum.co.uk/

9. Morpeth

Museum name and address Wallington Hall (National Trust), Cambo, .Near Morpeth, Northumberland, Tel. (01670) 773600
Displays General geology (curiosity collection of rocks, minerals and fossils)
Collections Local, UK (small), minerals, Regional fossils
Catalogues Available to view in building
Admission charge Yes
General opening hours April 1st Oct 31st all week, except Tuesday.
Website https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington

10. Newcastle

Museum name and address Hancock Museum, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE2 4PT, Tel. (0191) 2226765
Displays Local, Regional (Northern England [generally Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria]), General geology
Temporary exhibitions Ask museum for details
Collections Local, Regional (Northern England [generally Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria]), UK, World Wide, minerals (particular strength), rocks, fossils (particular strength) (see above), Photographic records, Archive geological library
Catalogues Yes, other collection information can be made available
Enquiry Service Professional geologist on staff
Geological activities Ask museum for details
Sales Geological publications for sale
Admission charge Yes
General opening hours All week, all year (except Sunday mornings).
Website https://greatnorthmuseum.org.uk/

11. South Shields

Museum name and address South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, Ocean Road, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE33 2TA, Tel. (0191) 4568740
Displays Local (geology displays within local history context),
Enquiry Service
Geological activities Ask museum for details
Sales Geological publications for sale
Admission charge No
General opening hours All week, all year (except Sunday mornings)
Website https://southshieldsmuseum.org.uk/

12. Sunderland

Museum name and address Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, Burdon Road, Sunderland, SR1 1PP, Tel. (0191) 553 2323
Displays Local, Regional (Cleveland, Northern England (generally Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria])
Temporary exhibitions ask museum for details
Collections Local, Regional (Northern England [generally Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham, Cumbria]), UK, World Wide, minerals (particular strength), rocks, fossils (particular strength) (see above) Photographic records, Archive, geological library
No, but collection information available
Enquiry Service professional geologist on staff
Geological activities ask museum for details
Sales Geological publications for sale
Admission charge No
General opening hours all week, all year (except Sunday mornings)
Website https://sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/sunderland-museum-winter-gardens/

13. Weardale

Museum name and address The Weardale Museum, Ireshopeburn, Weardale, Co. Durham, Tel. (01388) 537417
Displays Local (minerals and fossils, small)
Temporary Exhibitions Ask museum for details
Collections Local, minerals (particular strength), fossils, Photographic records, geological library (small)
Admission charge Yes
General opening hours May–Sept, Wed–Sun August all week afternoons only
Website https://www.weardalemuseum.co.uk/

14. Weardale

Museum name and address Killhope, The North of England Lead Mining Museum, Cowshill, Upper Weardale, Co. Durham, DL13 1AR. Tel. (01388) 537505
Displays Local Regional (North Pennines), restored 19th century lead mining site with water wheel
Temporary Exhibitions Ask museum for details
Collections Regional (North Pennines, collections relating to the industrial history of lead mining)
Enquiry Service
Geological activities Ask museum for details
Sales Geological publications for sale (including souvenir specimens)
Admission charge Yes
General opening hours April 1st–Sept. 30th and weekends in October any other time by arrangement
Website https://www.killhope.org.uk/

Acknowledgements

Many thanks are due to all the institutions in this guide for providing the above information and particularly to Ken Sedman (Cleveland Geology and Environmental Resources), Tim Pettigrew and Alec Coles (Tyne and Wear Museums), and Andy Newman (University of Newcastle upon Tyne).

Glossary

Bibliography

At all times follow: Countryside code and Code of conduct for geological field work

[Category:7. Northern England]]