Museum of Practical Geology - Revision history

Scotfot: /* Bibliography */

2026-06-06T10:32:39Z

Bibliography

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:32, 6 June 2026
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	[https://blog.geolsoc.org.uk/2014/01/17/the-unfortunate-tale-of-the-museum-of-practical-geology-pt-ii-dippy-and-the-nippies/ The unfortunate tale of the Museum of Practical Geology Part 2]		[https://blog.geolsoc.org.uk/2014/01/17/the-unfortunate-tale-of-the-museum-of-practical-geology-pt-ii-dippy-and-the-nippies/ The unfortunate tale of the Museum of Practical Geology Part 2]

			[https://www.victorianlondon.org/entertainment/geologicalmuseum.htm Victorian London]

	[[History of the British Geological Survey]]		[[History of the British Geological Survey]]

Scotfot at 18:35, 31 May 2026

2026-05-31T18:35:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:35, 31 May 2026
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	[[File:P640487.jpg\|800px\|Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street, London. c1855 -1900 GSM/MG/E/5.]]		[[File:P640487.jpg\|800px\|Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street, London. c1855 -1900 GSM/MG/E/5.]]
			[[File:P640490.jpg\|800px\|Museum of Practical Geology. Wood engraving from Illustrated London News 8th April 1848, showing the exterior to Piccadilly]]

	A series of photos of the Museum of Practical Geology can be found on [https://bgs.assetbank.app/assetbank-bgs/action/browseItems?categoryId=1679&categoryTypeId=1&cachedCriteria=1 Geoscenic]		A series of photos of the Museum of Practical Geology can be found on [https://bgs.assetbank.app/assetbank-bgs/action/browseItems?categoryId=1679&categoryTypeId=1&cachedCriteria=1 Geoscenic]

Scotfot: /* Demise of the Museum of Practical Geology (From Flett) */

2026-05-16T19:48:56Z

Demise of the Museum of Practical Geology (From Flett)

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:48, 16 May 2026
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	Meanwhile in the Museum of Practical Geology, in Jermyn Street, matters were going from bad to worse. This had never been one of London’s brightest spots, though in the early days of Queen Victoria’s reign it was regarded as a model for Europe to copy. The attendance had now dropped to about 2000 a month. When it was re-opened to the public after the War it was obviously in need of a complete overhaul, and the Office of Works was requested to undertake the work. Some plaster had fallen from the north-east corner of the ceiling, and when the workmen had erected a scaffold and started to repair they were astonished to find that one of the great cast-iron beams that supported the roof was broken. An immediate search was made and five more beams in the same quarter proved to be fractured. The Museum was at once closed to the public as dangerous, but the staff continued to work in it as usual.		Meanwhile in the Museum of Practical Geology, in Jermyn Street, matters were going from bad to worse. This had never been one of London’s brightest spots, though in the early days of Queen Victoria’s reign it was regarded as a model for Europe to copy. The attendance had now dropped to about 2000 a month. When it was re-opened to the public after the War it was obviously in need of a complete overhaul, and the Office of Works was requested to undertake the work. Some plaster had fallen from the north-east corner of the ceiling, and when the workmen had erected a scaffold and started to repair they were astonished to find that one of the great cast-iron beams that supported the roof was broken. An immediate search was made and five more beams in the same quarter proved to be fractured. The Museum was at once closed to the public as dangerous, but the staff continued to work in it as usual.

	The cause of these dilapidations was never clearly established, but, as the . side walls of the building were cracked in several places, it seemed clear that there had been some movement of the foundations. It may be recalled, however, that on 19th October, 1917, a bomb exploded in Piccadilly a few yards east of the Museum, and did great damage. It is possible that the roof was injured, though this was not suspected at the time. Steps were now taken to support the broken roof, and a great timber structure was erected in the main hall on which a platform was built to hold the roof beams in place. The slates and lead were stripped from the roof and replaced by light boarding and ruberoid. Sheets of wood were substituted for most of the panes of glass in the roof, and a temporary installation of electric lighting was introduced to illuminate the darkened interior. Most of the cases of exhibits in the Museum were covered with dust-cloths, and the noise and dirt were intolerable. After the north end of the roof had been pronounced temporarily safe an examination was made of the southern part. Not unexpectedly, it was also discovered to be unsatisfactory, and another timber structure was set up to support it. These measures required more than a year for execution and when they were finished the Museum was again opened to the public. The interior now presented a spectacle such as no other museum in the world could furnish.		The cause of these dilapidations was never clearly established, but, as the side walls of the building were cracked in several places, it seemed clear that there had been some movement of the foundations. It may be recalled, however, that on 19th October, 1917, a bomb exploded in Piccadilly a few yards east of the Museum, and did great damage. It is possible that the roof was injured, though this was not suspected at the time. Steps were now taken to support the broken roof, and a great timber structure was erected in the main hall on which a platform was built to hold the roof beams in place. The slates and lead were stripped from the roof and replaced by light boarding and ruberoid. Sheets of wood were substituted for most of the panes of glass in the roof, and a temporary installation of electric lighting was introduced to illuminate the darkened interior. Most of the cases of exhibits in the Museum were covered with dust-cloths, and the noise and dirt were intolerable. After the north end of the roof had been pronounced temporarily safe an examination was made of the southern part. Not unexpectedly, it was also discovered to be unsatisfactory, and another timber structure was set up to support it. These measures required more than a year for execution and when they were finished the Museum was again opened to the public. The interior now presented a spectacle such as no other museum in the world could furnish.

	Much discussion took place regarding the ultimate fate of the building. The construction of a new roof would have been very expensive and it was by no means certain that the old walls would bear the weight. Nothing was done for a considerable time. Meanwhile a new door had been opened in the Piccadilly front which gave access to the Library and Map Room, so that the public might still consult the books and maps. The offices were still in use, but the Museum was to all intents and purposes defunct.		Much discussion took place regarding the ultimate fate of the building. The construction of a new roof would have been very expensive and it was by no means certain that the old walls would bear the weight. Nothing was done for a considerable time. Meanwhile a new door had been opened in the Piccadilly front which gave access to the Library and Map Room, so that the public might still consult the books and maps. The offices were still in use, but the Museum was to all intents and purposes defunct.

Scotfot: /* Demise of the Museum of Practical Geology (From Flett */

2026-05-16T19:48:21Z

Demise of the Museum of Practical Geology (From Flett

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:48, 16 May 2026
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	At first the attendance at the School of Mines seems to have been a disappointment, and complaints were made by the staff that it was discouragingly small. It has always, however, maintained its prestige as the premier institution of its class in Great Britain and worthy to rank with the great mining schools of the Continent. Under the auspices of the Government, schemes were soon on foot either to expand the School of Mines into a College of Science or to establish such a College and to absorb the existing institution. Much discussion took place on these projects, but progress was only slow. In 1854 the School of Mines, the Geological Survey and the Museum were transferred to the Department of Science and Art, which had been created under the Board of Trade after the Great Exhibition of 1851. These changes seem to have been unwelcome to De la Beche and some members of his staff. It was only the beginning, however, of a gradual and complicated series of changes which ultimately resulted in the dismemberment of the School of Mines in Jermyn Street and the transfer of the laboratories and teaching staff to South Kensington. The Professors of Physics, Biology and Chemistry were first to go. Mining under Warington W. Smyth and Metallurgy under Percy remained at Jermyn Street; these professors regarded the connexion with the Museum and Survey as of fundamental importance. The formal appellation Royal School of Mines seems to have been first used in 1862.		At first the attendance at the School of Mines seems to have been a disappointment, and complaints were made by the staff that it was discouragingly small. It has always, however, maintained its prestige as the premier institution of its class in Great Britain and worthy to rank with the great mining schools of the Continent. Under the auspices of the Government, schemes were soon on foot either to expand the School of Mines into a College of Science or to establish such a College and to absorb the existing institution. Much discussion took place on these projects, but progress was only slow. In 1854 the School of Mines, the Geological Survey and the Museum were transferred to the Department of Science and Art, which had been created under the Board of Trade after the Great Exhibition of 1851. These changes seem to have been unwelcome to De la Beche and some members of his staff. It was only the beginning, however, of a gradual and complicated series of changes which ultimately resulted in the dismemberment of the School of Mines in Jermyn Street and the transfer of the laboratories and teaching staff to South Kensington. The Professors of Physics, Biology and Chemistry were first to go. Mining under Warington W. Smyth and Metallurgy under Percy remained at Jermyn Street; these professors regarded the connexion with the Museum and Survey as of fundamental importance. The formal appellation Royal School of Mines seems to have been first used in 1862.

	== Demise of the Museum of Practical Geology (From Flett ==		== Demise of the Museum of Practical Geology (From Flett) ==

	Pressure of work in connexion with the organization of the new Museum and offices caused the suspension of this branch of work in 1931 and the instruments and equipment were transferred on loan to the school of Geophysics established at that time at the Imperial College of Science.		Pressure of work in connexion with the organization of the new Museum and offices caused the suspension of this branch of work in 1931 and the instruments and equipment were transferred on loan to the school of Geophysics established at that time at the Imperial College of Science.

Scotfot: /* Extract on the formation of the Museum of Practical Geology from Flett, J.S. The first hundred years of the Geological Survey of Great Britain. London : HMSO, 1937. */

2026-05-16T19:48:07Z

Extract on the formation of the Museum of Practical Geology from Flett, J.S. The first hundred years of the Geological Survey of Great Britain. London : HMSO, 1937.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:48, 16 May 2026
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	At first the attendance at the School of Mines seems to have been a disappointment, and complaints were made by the staff that it was discouragingly small. It has always, however, maintained its prestige as the premier institution of its class in Great Britain and worthy to rank with the great mining schools of the Continent. Under the auspices of the Government, schemes were soon on foot either to expand the School of Mines into a College of Science or to establish such a College and to absorb the existing institution. Much discussion took place on these projects, but progress was only slow. In 1854 the School of Mines, the Geological Survey and the Museum were transferred to the Department of Science and Art, which had been created under the Board of Trade after the Great Exhibition of 1851. These changes seem to have been unwelcome to De la Beche and some members of his staff. It was only the beginning, however, of a gradual and complicated series of changes which ultimately resulted in the dismemberment of the School of Mines in Jermyn Street and the transfer of the laboratories and teaching staff to South Kensington. The Professors of Physics, Biology and Chemistry were first to go. Mining under Warington W. Smyth and Metallurgy under Percy remained at Jermyn Street; these professors regarded the connexion with the Museum and Survey as of fundamental importance. The formal appellation Royal School of Mines seems to have been first used in 1862.		At first the attendance at the School of Mines seems to have been a disappointment, and complaints were made by the staff that it was discouragingly small. It has always, however, maintained its prestige as the premier institution of its class in Great Britain and worthy to rank with the great mining schools of the Continent. Under the auspices of the Government, schemes were soon on foot either to expand the School of Mines into a College of Science or to establish such a College and to absorb the existing institution. Much discussion took place on these projects, but progress was only slow. In 1854 the School of Mines, the Geological Survey and the Museum were transferred to the Department of Science and Art, which had been created under the Board of Trade after the Great Exhibition of 1851. These changes seem to have been unwelcome to De la Beche and some members of his staff. It was only the beginning, however, of a gradual and complicated series of changes which ultimately resulted in the dismemberment of the School of Mines in Jermyn Street and the transfer of the laboratories and teaching staff to South Kensington. The Professors of Physics, Biology and Chemistry were first to go. Mining under Warington W. Smyth and Metallurgy under Percy remained at Jermyn Street; these professors regarded the connexion with the Museum and Survey as of fundamental importance. The formal appellation Royal School of Mines seems to have been first used in 1862.

			== Demise of the Museum of Practical Geology (From Flett ==

			Pressure of work in connexion with the organization of the new Museum and offices caused the suspension of this branch of work in 1931 and the instruments and equipment were transferred on loan to the school of Geophysics established at that time at the Imperial College of Science.

			Meanwhile in the Museum of Practical Geology, in Jermyn Street, matters were going from bad to worse. This had never been one of London’s brightest spots, though in the early days of Queen Victoria’s reign it was regarded as a model for Europe to copy. The attendance had now dropped to about 2000 a month. When it was re-opened to the public after the War it was obviously in need of a complete overhaul, and the Office of Works was requested to undertake the work. Some plaster had fallen from the north-east corner of the ceiling, and when the workmen had erected a scaffold and started to repair they were astonished to find that one of the great cast-iron beams that supported the roof was broken. An immediate search was made and five more beams in the same quarter proved to be fractured. The Museum was at once closed to the public as dangerous, but the staff continued to work in it as usual.

			The cause of these dilapidations was never clearly established, but, as the . side walls of the building were cracked in several places, it seemed clear that there had been some movement of the foundations. It may be recalled, however, that on 19th October, 1917, a bomb exploded in Piccadilly a few yards east of the Museum, and did great damage. It is possible that the roof was injured, though this was not suspected at the time. Steps were now taken to support the broken roof, and a great timber structure was erected in the main hall on which a platform was built to hold the roof beams in place. The slates and lead were stripped from the roof and replaced by light boarding and ruberoid. Sheets of wood were substituted for most of the panes of glass in the roof, and a temporary installation of electric lighting was introduced to illuminate the darkened interior. Most of the cases of exhibits in the Museum were covered with dust-cloths, and the noise and dirt were intolerable. After the north end of the roof had been pronounced temporarily safe an examination was made of the southern part. Not unexpectedly, it was also discovered to be unsatisfactory, and another timber structure was set up to support it. These measures required more than a year for execution and when they were finished the Museum was again opened to the public. The interior now presented a spectacle such as no other museum in the world could furnish.

			Much discussion took place regarding the ultimate fate of the building. The construction of a new roof would have been very expensive and it was by no means certain that the old walls would bear the weight. Nothing was done for a considerable time. Meanwhile a new door had been opened in the Piccadilly front which gave access to the Library and Map Room, so that the public might still consult the books and maps. The offices were still in use, but the Museum was to all intents and purposes defunct.

	==Bibliography==		==Bibliography==

Scotfot: /* The Building (From: A descriptive guide to the Museum of Practical Geology... 1867.) */

2026-05-05T07:09:10Z

The Building (From: A descriptive guide to the Museum of Practical Geology... 1867.)

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:09, 5 May 2026
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	[[File:NLS OSTownPlansVII 72.JPG\|800px\|Map showing location of the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street, London.]]		[[File:NLS OSTownPlansVII 72.JPG\|800px\|Map showing location of the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street, London.]]

	The edifice itself must be regarded as one of the illustrations of the main objects in view. It was designed by Mr. James Pennethorne, who, co-operating with Sir Henry De la ~~Beebe~~, endeavoured to make it, in all particulars, an illustration of the applications of Geology.		The edifice itself must be regarded as one of the illustrations of the main objects in view. It was designed by Mr. James Pennethorne, who, co-operating with Sir Henry De la Beche, endeavoured to make it, in all particulars, an illustration of the applications of Geology.
	The Piccadilly front of the Museum is constructed of Anston (Yorkshire) Dolomite or magnesian limestone, of the same kind as that employed for the exterior of the new Houses of Parliament. The Jermyn Street front is composed partly of the same stone, and partly of Suffolk bricks.		The Piccadilly front of the Museum is constructed of Anston (Yorkshire) Dolomite or magnesian limestone, of the same kind as that employed for the exterior of the new Houses of Parliament. The Jermyn Street front is composed partly of the same stone, and partly of Suffolk bricks.
	The steps at the entrance are of the red graniteerof Peterhead, and at the doorway is a slab of slate from the Penrhyn quarries of North Wales. The pavement and steps leading into the hall are of Portland stone ; the base of the sides of the vestibule is of Irish granite, the ripper portion of polished Derbyshire alabaster; and the pilasters on either side at the heads of the steps from the vestibule of the grey Peterhead granite. As all these stones have their representatives in the hall, particulars respecting them will be found under their special heads.		The steps at the entrance are of the red graniteerof Peterhead, and at the doorway is a slab of slate from the Penrhyn quarries of North Wales. The pavement and steps leading into the hall are of Portland stone ; the base of the sides of the vestibule is of Irish granite, the ripper portion of polished Derbyshire alabaster; and the pilasters on either side at the heads of the steps from the vestibule of the grey Peterhead granite. As all these stones have their representatives in the hall, particulars respecting them will be found under their special heads.

Scotfot at 15:17, 11 April 2026

2026-04-11T15:17:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:17, 11 April 2026
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	[[Category:History of the British Geological Survey]]		[[Category:History of the British Geological Survey]]

			[[Category:Museum of Practical Geology]]

Scotfot: /* The Building (From: A descriptive guide to the Museum of Practical Geology... 1867.) */

2026-04-08T20:22:05Z

The Building (From: A descriptive guide to the Museum of Practical Geology... 1867.)

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	== The Building (From: A descriptive guide to the Museum of Practical Geology... 1867.)==		== The Building (From: A descriptive guide to the Museum of Practical Geology... 1867.)==

			[[Museum of Practical Geology - a descriptive guide (1867 edition)]]

	[Orientation: The museum sat between Jermyn Street to the south and Piccadilly to the north.]		[Orientation: The museum sat between Jermyn Street to the south and Piccadilly to the north.]

Scotfot at 22:15, 2 April 2026

2026-04-02T22:15:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:15, 2 April 2026
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	A series of photos of the Museum of Practical Geology can be found on [https://bgs.assetbank.app/assetbank-bgs/action/browseItems?categoryId=1679&categoryTypeId=1&cachedCriteria=1 Geoscenic]		A series of photos of the Museum of Practical Geology can be found on [https://bgs.assetbank.app/assetbank-bgs/action/browseItems?categoryId=1679&categoryTypeId=1&cachedCriteria=1 Geoscenic]

	~~[[File:NLS OSTownPlansVII 72.JPG\|800px\|Map showing location of the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street, London.]]~~

	== The Building (From: A descriptive guide to the Museum of Practical Geology... 1867.)==		== The Building (From: A descriptive guide to the Museum of Practical Geology... 1867.)==
	[Orientation: The museum sat between Jermyn Street to the south and Piccadilly to the north.]		[Orientation: The museum sat between Jermyn Street to the south and Piccadilly to the north.]

			[[File:NLS OSTownPlansVII 72.JPG\|800px\|Map showing location of the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street, London.]]

	The edifice itself must be regarded as one of the illustrations of the main objects in view. It was designed by Mr. James Pennethorne, who, co-operating with Sir Henry De la Beebe, endeavoured to make it, in all particulars, an illustration of the applications of Geology.		The edifice itself must be regarded as one of the illustrations of the main objects in view. It was designed by Mr. James Pennethorne, who, co-operating with Sir Henry De la Beebe, endeavoured to make it, in all particulars, an illustration of the applications of Geology.

Scotfot: /* The Building (From: A descriptive guide to the Museum of Practical Geology... 1867.) */

2026-04-02T22:14:25Z

The Building (From: A descriptive guide to the Museum of Practical Geology... 1867.)

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:14, 2 April 2026
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	== The Building (From: A descriptive guide to the Museum of Practical Geology... 1867.)==		== The Building (From: A descriptive guide to the Museum of Practical Geology... 1867.)==
	[Orientation: The museum sat between Jermyn Street to the south and Piccadilly to the north.]		[Orientation: The museum sat between Jermyn Street to the south and Piccadilly to the north.]

	The edifice itself must be regarded as one of the illustrations of the main objects in view. It was designed by Mr. James Pennethorne, who, co-operating with Sir Henry De la Beebe, endeavoured to make it, in all particulars, an illustration of the applications of Geology.		The edifice itself must be regarded as one of the illustrations of the main objects in view. It was designed by Mr. James Pennethorne, who, co-operating with Sir Henry De la Beebe, endeavoured to make it, in all particulars, an illustration of the applications of Geology.
	The Piccadilly front of the Museum is constructed of Anston (Yorkshire) Dolomite or magnesian limestone, of the same kind as that employed for the exterior of the new Houses of Parliament. The Jermyn Street front is composed partly of the same stone, and partly of Suffolk bricks.		The Piccadilly front of the Museum is constructed of Anston (Yorkshire) Dolomite or magnesian limestone, of the same kind as that employed for the exterior of the new Houses of Parliament. The Jermyn Street front is composed partly of the same stone, and partly of Suffolk bricks.