The University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Museum reopens to the public on 23 May 2007 after an extensive period of refurbishment.
Regular visitors to the Hunterian Museum will notice immediately the changes that have been made. The Entrance Gallery, and the two smaller rooms at either side, have been completely redisplayed and now contain a permanent exhibition on the Hunterian’s founder, Dr William Hunter.
Susan Ferguson, Head of Marketing and Development at the Hunterian said:
“Some of our visitors have no idea why the Museum is called the ‘Hunterian’. This new display dedicated to our founder, Dr William Hunter, covers both his life and career and explains why he is such an important historical figure, not just in relation to the Hunterian and University, but to Scotland and the development of modern medicine.”
Also in the Museum Entrance Gallery is a new display called ‘Weird and Wonderful’ which shows a small number of objects from the Hunterian collections which either tell fascinating stories or are historically significant. Also on display are objects which are puzzling or bizarre.
Along with ‘Weird and Wonderful’, the Entrance Gallery is now home to some star objects from the collection, including a full elephant skeleton, Robert the Bruce’s Toe Bone and the High Possil Meteorite.
The Museum Main Hall is almost unrecognisable in comparison to its previous layout and content. Ranging from Animal Architecture to World Culture, the new display themes demonstrate the diversity and range of the Hunterian collections. Although some old favourites, such as the Hunterian’s famous Egyptian Mummy, remain on display, the new themes have allowed many fabulous objects to be introduced for the first time. Items from the Zoology collection are now on display in the Animal Architecture and Biodiversity sections, and in the World Culture section, the rare and visually stunning ‘Map of the Whole World’ produced by Ferdinand Verbiest in 1674 for the Chinese Emperor Kangxi is not to be missed. Many treasures from the Hunterian coin cabinet are now on show throughout the new displays with star items including the internationally famous portrait coin of Cleopatra, and a remarkable series of Roman gold coins.
Minerals
The Minerals display highlights Scottish mineral treasures, with beautiful examples of gemstones and crystals, plus meteorites, xenoliths and diamonds.
Vertebrate Evolution
Vertebrate Evolution demonstrates evolution on Earth from fossil fish to the descent on to land and into the air. Of particular interest is the 345 million year old skeleton of an amphibian called Pederpes finneyae, which was the first animal with a backbone specially adapted to walk on land.
Dinosaurs
The Dinosaurs section features the world’s smallest dinosaur footprint, which was discovered by a Hunterian curator, and examples of dinosaur skulls, dinosaur remains found in Scotland, dinosaur eggs, a Diplodocus leg and a Plesiosaur skeleton.
Scottish Fossils
Scottish Fossils shows Scotland’s largest trilobite, plus trilobites from Girvan, the famous Bearsden Shark, and fossil scorpions and spiders, one of which is named after a member of Hunterian staff.
Biodiversity
In the Biodiversity displays, visitors can find out about life and death on Earth, with examples of insects and coral, plus rare and extinct animals and birds like the Bluebuck Antelope, the Dire Wolf and the Capercaillie. Also on display is a rare example of the Thylacine, or Tasmanian Wolf, which became extinct in 1936.
Animal Architecture
Animal Architecture demonstrates nature’s builders, and a highlight is an example of a Long-tailed Tit, one of our smallest woodland birds. Animal Architecture also shows other birds’ nests, wasp bykes, ants nests and termite mounds. Also on display are other architects from the animal kingdom, for example the Harvest Mouse and the Beaver.
World Culture
The World Culture display explores different identities. The star object is a ceremonial Maori knife from New Zealand, thought to be collected on one of Captain Cook’s voyages. Also on display are other very rare objects from Polynesia and Melanesia, North America and Africa.
Exploration
In the Exploration section, exploration of the planet is demonstrated with objects brought back from various expeditions, including Captain Cook’s voyages and HMS Challenger’s expeditions to South America and Antarctica. The star item is a slice of the tree under which Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone’s heart was buried.
Mediterranean
The Mediterranean display looks at the Mediterranean Sea as the centre of the ancient world and items range from Cypriot pots, to Egyptian ushabtis, and Greek vases to Roman gold coins. The star item is the Cleopatra coin, one of the best examples in the world.
Archaeology
The Archaeology section has examples of Stone and Bronze Age tools and weapons and the star item is the Clachaig Skull, a human skull which dates back to the Neolithic period. Archaeology in the field is highlighted with details of excavations directed by Professor John Garstang in the Middle East in the 1930s. Of particular interest is the recreation of a middle Bronze Age tomb similar to those excavated by Garstang’s team.
Roman Stones
The Hunterian collection of Roman Stones is world famous and contains altars, tombstones, figures, and most importantly distance slabs from the Antonine Wall, all found in Scotland. Many are still on display in the Main Hall. The University plans to create an Antonine Wall Interpretation Centre which will open in early 2008 and the Roman Stones will be displayed there when it opens.
The Main Hall ‘Spine’
In a fitting tribute to those who have helped carry on William Hunter’s legacy, the ‘spine’ of the Museum main hall displays are dedicated to the collectors who have contributed to the Hunterian collections. Their donations and bequests have enabled the Hunterian to add to Hunter’s original collection over the years. Read more about the construction of the main hall.
iVis
The Hunterian constantly strives to provide better visitor service and access to its collections. In addition to the new displays, we have introduced a new visitor orientation system called iVis. Developed by the Hunterian and part-funded by the Scottish Museums Council, iVis will act as an orientation point for visitors with interactive maps and floor plans of the Hunterian locations. iVis will also allow visitors to access up to the minute information about current and forthcoming exhibitions and events, plus details of star objects not to be missed when visiting.
Harriet Gaston
