Geology in Yorkshire's museums: Difference between revisions

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


=== 1. Baildon ===
=== 1. Baildon ===

Revision as of 23:02, 5 August 2019

Scrutton, Colin and Powell, John, Editors. Yorkshire rocks and landscape: a field guide. 2006. 3rd edition. Published by the Yorkshire Geological Society . Copyright Yorkshire Geological Society.
Figure 22 Location of museums of geological interest in Yorkshire.


Geology in Yorkshire's museums

By Paul Ensom Wivenhoe, Essex, C07 913Q,

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

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/


2. Batley

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


3. Doncaster

Museum name and address Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery. Chequer Road, Doncaster, DNr 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


4. Filey

Museum name and address Filey Museum. 8/10 Queen Street, Filey, X Yorkshire, YOLy 911B.
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 II a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Website https://www.fileymuseum.co.uk/


5. Grassington

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

Museum name and address Royal Pump Room Museum. Royal Parade, Harrogate, XYorkshire, HG1 2RY.
Displays Local. Development of C19th 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


7. Hawes

Museum name and address Dales Countryside Museum. Station Yard, Hawes, X Yorkshire, DL8 3.NT.
Displays Local
Collections Local, connected with lead mining
Catalogues Yes
Enquiry service Yes
Sales Local geology
Admission charge Yes
Opening hours All year.
Website https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/



8. Huddersfield

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


9. Hull

Museum name and address Hull and East Riding Museum, (Hull Museums Service). 36 High Street, Hull, HUI 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


10. Hutton-Le-Hole

Museum name and address Ryedale Folk Museum. Hutton-le-Hole, X 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/


11. Keighley

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)
CAT 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


12. Leeds

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 *Displays reopening 2008.
Website https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/leeds-city-museum/


13. Pateley Bridge

Museum name and address Nidderdale Museum. Council Offices, King Street, Pateley Bridge, XYorkshire, 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 https://www.nidderdalemuseum.com/


14. Reeth

Museum name and address Swaledale Museum. The Green, Reeth, N.Yorkshire, DLit 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 https://www.swaledalemuseum.org/


15 Richmond

Museum name and address Richmondshire Museum. Ryders Wynd, Richmond, X Yorkshire, DLit) 4JA.
Displays Local. Mining
Collections Minor collection. minerals, rocks
Enquiry service Basic
Admission charge Yes
Opening hours Easter-October.
Website https://www.richmondshiremuseum.org.uk/


16 Rotherham

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 https://cliftonpark.org.uk/cpm/homepage/22/explore_the_museum


17 Scarborough

Museum name and address Scarborough Museums & Gallery, including the Rotunda Museum. Contact address: Town Hall, St Nicholas Street, Scarborough, jr. Yorkshire, YOH 2HG.
Displays *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 S General, local and regional geology
Opening hours *Displays will reopen in The Rotunda Museum in Autumn 2007.
Website https://www.scarboroughmuseumstrust.com/
https://www.scarboroughmuseumstrust.com/rotunda-museum/


18 Settle

Museum name and address Museum of North Craven Life. Chapel Street, Settle, X 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/


19 Sheffield

Museum name and address Weston Park Museum. Weston Park, Sheffield, S.Yorkshire, Sio 2TP.
Displays Local and Yorkshire
Temporary exhibitions Yes
Collections Local and UK & world wide. minerals, rocks, fossils (particular strength) especially Coal Measure plants of SouthYorkshire
CAT 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


20 Skipton

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 https://www.cravenmuseum.org/about-us/craven-museum-gallery/


21 Wakefield

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/


22 Whitby

Museum name and address Whitby Museum. Pannett Park, Whitby, X 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/


23 York

Museum name and address Yorkshire Museum. Museum Gardens, York, N. Yorkshire, YO1 MFR.
Displays Yorkshire
Temporary exhibitions Yes
Collections Local, Yorkshire and UK. Minerals, rocks, fossils (particular strength) m,r,F,

Library, Photographic (world wide volcanoes)

CAT 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/

Glossary

Bibliography

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