Editing Geology in Yorkshire's museums

{{YGSYorkshireRocks}}

[[File:YGS_YORKROCK_FIG_22_00.jpg|thumbnail|Figure 22 Location of museums of geological interest in Yorkshire.]]

'''By Paul Ensom''' Wivenhoe, Essex

== A historical perspective ==

The earliest museums of Yorkshire developed during the 19th century at a time when geology, a new science, found itself in conflict with the accepted teaching of the Church on the Creation. Examples of early museums are the Leeds City Museum (1821) and Hull City, Whitby and the Yorkshire Museums (1823)

Each was the product of a learned society based in an urban area. The collections of societies in Bradford and Sheffield also formed the basis of public museums. The Rotunda Museum (1829) in Scarborough is noteworthy, having been designed by ''(the) ''William Smith and Richard Sharp of York. William Smith spent his last years in North Yorkshire, and his nephew, John Phillips, who as his assistant received a sound geological education, became first Keeper of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society's museum and later Professor of Geology at Oxford. Many of Yorkshire's museums have their origins in the loth century. The Tolson Museum in Huddersfield was a memorial to the two nephews of Legh Tolson who died in the First World War and the Craven Museum in Skipton (1928) grew from the Craven Museum and Archaeological Society.

== What value museums? ==

Local museums are often the perfect entree to the geology of an area. A better guide can seldom be had to what may be seen in the vicinity, thanks to generations of collectors — professional and amateur — all with an eye for the informative, the curious or the beautiful. Displays may elucidate the landscape's foundations and show the rock types, minerals and fossils likely to be encountered. Man's exploitation of coal, iron, lead and stone often figure in exhibits describing the social and economic history of the area. Archives, including photographs, add another dimension to the potential of these treasure houses.

The following list gives basic information about Yorkshire's geological museums, allowing the reader to assess what each one has to offer.

== Museums ==

'''Note: Information correct as at 2006 when the print version was published. Website addresses updated 2019.'''

=== 1. Baildon ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Bracken Hall Countryside Centre''', (Bradford Museums Galleries and Heritage). Glen Road, Baildon, Shipley, W. Yorkshire, BD17 SEA.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local
|-
| | '''Temporary exhibitions'''
|  | Occasional
|-
| | '''Enquiry service'''
|  | Yes* via Cliffe Castle Museum
|-
| | '''Geological activities'''
|  | As advertised
|-
| | '''Sales'''
|  | Basic
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | Open throughout year but not every day.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://www.friendsofbrackenhall.org.uk/ https://www.friendsofbrackenhall.org.uk/] 
|-
|}

=== 2. Batley ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Bagshaw Museum'''. Wilton Park, Batley, W. Yorkshire, WF17 OAS.
|-
| | '''Temporary exhibitions'''
|  | 
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local and UK, minerals (world wide), rocks, fossils, particular strength (especially local Carbarboniferous)
|-
| | '''Enquiry service'''
|  | Basic
|-
| | '''Geological activities'''
|  | Occasional
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | All year.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/museums-galleries-history/bagshaw-museum.aspx https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/museums-galleries-history/bagshaw-museum.aspx] 
|-
|}

=== 3. Doncaster ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery'''. Chequer Road, Doncaster, DN1 2AE.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local and UK, minerals (particular strength), rocks, fossils (especially Carboniferous)
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | All year.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/culture-leisure-tourism/doncaster-museum-and-art-gallery https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/culture-leisure-tourism/doncaster-museum-and-art-gallery] 
|-
|}

=== 4. Filey ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Filey Museum'''. 8/10 Queen Street, Filey, N. Yorkshire, YO14 9HB.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local and Yorkshire fossils and general geology, minerals
|-
| | '''Enquiry service'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Geological activities'''
|  | Occasional
|-
| | '''Admission charge'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | Good Friday to last the Sunday in October, Sunday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [http://www.fileymuseum.co.uk/ http://www.fileymuseum.co.uk/] 
|-
|}

=== 5. Grassington ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Upper Wharfedale Museum'''. The Square, Grassington, Skipton, N. Yorkshire, BD23 5AQ
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local, industrial heritage lead mining
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local and Yorkshire minerals (particular strength) rocks, fossils, photographic
|-
| | '''Admission charge'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | April-July afternoons daily, August 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., Sept afternoons daily, October weekend afternoons only.
|-
|}

=== 6. Harrogate ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Royal Pump Room Museum'''. Royal Parade, Harrogate, N. Yorkshire, HG1 2RY.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local. Development of 19th Century Spa
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local, minerals, rocks
|-
| | '''Geological activities'''
|  | Sample the waters!
|-
| | '''Admission charge'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | All year.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://www.harrogate.gov.uk/info/20151/royal_pump_room_museum https://www.harrogate.gov.uk/info/20151/royal_pump_room_museum] 
|-
|}
=== 7. Hawes ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Dales Countryside Museum'''. Station Yard, Hawes, N. Yorkshire, DL8 3NT.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local, connected with lead mining
|-
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.05pt solid #000000;border-left:0.05pt solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;color:#000000;" | '''Catalogues'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Enquiry service'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Sales'''
|  | Local geology
|-
| | '''Admission charge'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | All year.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/ https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/] 
|-
|}

=== 8. Huddersfield ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Tolson Museum'''. Ravensknowle Park, Wakefield Road, Huddersfield, W. Yorkshire, HD5 8DJ.
|-
| | '''Temporary exhibitions'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | minerals(world wide ), rocks, (local), fossils (local and UK)
|-
| | '''Enquiry service'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Geological activities'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Sales'''
|  | Basic
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | All year.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/museums-galleries-history/tolson-museum.aspx https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/museums-galleries-history/tolson-museum.aspx] 
|-
|}

=== 9. Hull ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Hull and East Riding Museum''', (Hull Museums Service). 36 High Street, Hull, HU1 1PS.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Limited permanent displays on geology of the area
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local and Yorkshire minerals, rocks, fossils, photographic, archive, No curatorial staff. Limited access to the collections by appointment only.
|-
| | '''Geological activities'''
|  | Occasional Open Days.
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | All year except 5 days at Christmas, New Year's day and Good Friday.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://www.hcandl.co.uk/museums-and-galleries/hull-and-east-riding-museum/hull-and-east-riding-museum https://www.hcandl.co.uk/museums-and-galleries/hull-and-east-riding-museum/hull-and-east-riding-museum] 
|-
|}

=== 10. Hutton-Le-Hole ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Ryedale Folk Museum'''. Hutton-le-Hole, N. Yorkshire, Y06 6UA.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local North York Moors extractive industries
|-
| | '''Enquiry service'''
|  | Basic
|-
| | '''Sales'''
|  | Basic
|-
| | '''Admission charge'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | Daily mid January to mid-December.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://www.ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk/ https://www.ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk/] 


|-
|}

=== 11. Keighley ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Cliffe Castle Museum''', (Bradford Museums Galleries and Heritage). Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley, W. Yorkshire, BD20 6LH.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local, geology of area & use of geological resources. Minerals
|-
| | '''Temporary exhibitions'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local and UK, minerals, rocks, fossils (particular strength) (especially Upper carboniferous, plants and Palaeozoic invertebrates)
|-
| | '''Catalogues'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Enquiry service'''
|  | Yes*
|-
| | '''Geological activities'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Sales'''
|  | Basic books
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | All year, but closed Mondays except Bank Holidays.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://www.bradfordmuseums.org/venues/cliffe-castle-museum https://www.bradfordmuseums.org/venues/cliffe-castle-museum] 
|-
|}

=== 12. Leeds ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Leeds City Museum'''. Cookridge Street, Leeds, W. Yorkshire, LS2 8BH.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local & general geology
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local, Yorkshire & world wide minerals, rocks, fossils including Carboniferous and Jurassic plants
|-
| | '''Enquiry service'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Geological activities'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Sales'''
|  | Basic
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | <nowiki>*Displays reopening 2008.</nowiki>
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/leeds-city-museum/ https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/leeds-city-museum/] 
|-
|}

=== 13. Pateley Bridge ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Nidderdale Museum'''. Council Offices, King Street, Pateley Bridge, N. Yorkshire, HG3 5LE.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local. Special reference to quarrying & mining
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local, minerals, rocks, fossils 
|-
| | '''Sales'''
|  | Local quarrying
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | Afternoons Easter-end October & winter Saturdays & Sundays.
|-
| | '''Admission charge'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [http://www.nidderdalemuseum.com/ http://www.nidderdalemuseum.com/] 
|-
|}

=== 14. Reeth ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Swaledale Museum'''. The Green, Reeth, N. Yorkshire, DL11 6QT.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local. Lead mining, dressing & smelting. Lime production
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Lead industry 
|-
| | '''Sales'''
|  | Local lead industry
|-
| | '''Admission charge'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | Easter-end October Wednesday — Friday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays 10.30 a.m.-5.30 p.m., and Sundays 10.30 a.m.-5.30 p.m. from November — Easter. Able to open at other times by appointment.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [http://www.swaledalemuseum.org/ http://www.swaledalemuseum.org/] 
|-
|}

=== 15 Richmond ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Richmondshire Museum'''. Ryders Wynd, Richmond, N. Yorkshire, DL11 4JA.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local. Mining
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Minor collection, minerals, rocks
|-
| | '''Enquiry service'''
|  | Basic
|-
| | '''Admission charge'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | Easter-October.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [http://www.richmondshiremuseum.org.uk/ http://www.richmondshiremuseum.org.uk/] 
|-
|}

=== 16 Rotherham ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Clifton Park Museum'''. Clifton Lane, Rotherham, S. Yorkshire, S65 2AA. 
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local especially Upper Carboniferous plants
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local minerals (particular strength) (world wide), rocks, fossils (particular strength)
|-
| | '''Enquiry service'''
|  | Basic
|-
| | '''Sales'''
|  | Basic
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | All year, but closed Fridays & 25 December-1 January inclusive.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [http://www.cliftonparkrotherham.co.uk/museum/] 
|-
|}

=== 17 Scarborough ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Scarborough Museums & Gallery''', including the '''Rotunda Museum'''. Contact address: Town Hall, St Nicholas Street, Scarborough, N. Yorkshire, YO11 2HG.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | <nowiki>*</nowiki>Local, Yorkshire and general geology
|-
| | '''Temporary exhibitions'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local, Yorkshire and UK minerals and rocks (UK), fossils (particular strength),(local)
|-
| | '''Enquiry service'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Geological activities'''
|  | Yes through Dinosaur Coast. General, local and regional geology
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | <nowiki>*Displays will reopen in The Rotunda Museum in Autumn 2007.</nowiki>
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://www.scarboroughmuseumstrust.com/ https://www.scarboroughmuseumstrust.com/] 
|-
| | 
|  | [https://www.scarboroughmuseumstrust.com/rotunda-museum/ https://www.scarboroughmuseumstrust.com/rotunda-museum/] 
|-
|}

=== 18 Settle ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Museum of North Craven Life'''. Chapel Street, Settle, N. Yorkshire, BD24 9H5.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local including some bone cave material. Working model of Ebbing & Flowing Well of Giggleswick Scar
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Display specimens only, rocks, fossils
|-
| | '''Sales'''
|  | Basic local geology including local caves
|-
| | '''Admission charge'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | All Bank Holiday weekends, and from the 1st July-30th September, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://www.museums.co.uk/details/museum-of-north-craven-life/ https://www.museums.co.uk/details/museum-of-north-craven-life/] 
|-
|}

=== 19 Sheffield ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Weston Park Museum'''. Weston Park, Sheffield, S. Yorkshire, S10 2TP.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local and Yorkshire
|-
| | '''Temporary exhibitions'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local and UK & world wide. minerals, rocks, fossils (particular strength) especially Coal Measure plants of South Yorkshire
|-
| | '''Catalogues'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Enquiry service'''
|  | Yes (professional geologist on staff)
|-
| | '''Geological activities'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Sales'''
|  | Basic
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | All year.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://www.museums-sheffield.org.uk/museums/weston-park/home https://www.museums-sheffield.org.uk/museums/weston-park/home] 
|-
|}

=== 20 Skipton ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Craven Museum and Gallery'''. Town Hall, High Street, Skipton, N. Yorkshire, BD23 1AH.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local minerals and fossils
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local especially Craven Reef Knoll fossils
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | Open throughout year except Tuesdays. Closed Sundays October–March.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [http://www.cravenmuseum.org/about-us/craven-museum-gallery/ http://www.cravenmuseum.org/about-us/craven-museum-gallery/] 
|-
|}

=== 21 Wakefield ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''nr: National Coal Mining Museum for England'''. Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, nr Wakefield, W. Yorkshire, WF4 4RH.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Coal mining history, science and technology
|-
| | '''Temporary exhibitions'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Items associated with mining industry for the whole of England, photographic, archive and library. Appointments should be made to examine collections, libraries, etc.
|-
| | '''Enquiry service'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Sales'''
|  | Basic
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | All year.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://www.ncm.org.uk/ https://www.ncm.org.uk/] 
|-
|}

=== 22 Whitby ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Whitby Museum'''. Pannett Park, Whitby, N. Yorkshire, Y021 2AH.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Local including Zechstein evaporites & Whitby jet jewellery
|-
| | '''Temporary exhibitions'''
|  | Occasional
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local minerals, fossils (particular strength)
|-
| | '''Geological activities'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Sales'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Admission charge'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | All year.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://whitbymuseum.org.uk/ https://whitbymuseum.org.uk/] 
|-
|}

=== 23 York ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|  | '''Museum name and address'''
|  | '''Yorkshire Museum'''. Museum Gardens, York, N. Yorkshire, YO1 7FR.
|-
| | '''Displays'''
|  | Yorkshire
|-
| | '''Temporary exhibitions'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Collections'''
|  | Local, Yorkshire and UK. Minerals, rocks, fossils (particular strength)

Library, Photographic (world wide volcanoes)
|-
| | '''Catalogues'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Enquiry service'''
|  | Yes (professional geologist on staff)
|-
| | '''Geological activities'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Sales'''
|  | Basic and more detailed
|-
| | '''Admission charge'''
|  | Yes
|-
| | '''Opening hours'''
|  | All year.
|-
| | '''Website'''
|  | [https://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/ https://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/] 
|-
|}

== [[Yorkshire rocks and landscape: a field guide#Glossary|Glossary]] ==

== [[Yorkshire rocks and landscape: a field guide#Bibliography|Bibliography]] ==

{{EWwalks}}

[[Category:9. Eastern England from the Tees to the Wash]]
[[Category:8. The Pennines and adjacent areas]]
[[Category:7. Northern England]]