Ever heard of a Bornean Bristlehead or a Rhinoceros Hornbill? If not, now is your chance to meet them face to face at Mansfield Museum’s recently opened natural history gallery, which celebrates feathered friends from around the globe.
The permanent display, A World of Birds, reinterprets the museum’s rich and internationally significant Joseph Whitaker bird collection. This collection includes 3,000 bird specimens, with some species that are critically endangered and on the brink of extinction.
A World of Birds features 600 exhibits spanning 500 species from across the planet. Highlights include both the world’s largest bird—the ostrich—and its smallest—the hummingbird—along with rarities such as albino and other unusually colored variations of kingfishers, parrots, owls, hawks, vultures, and kiwis.
The gallery also showcases the museum’s significant butterfly and moth collection, which contains a number of rare specimens.
The new gallery opened on Tuesday, April 23, with a special event that drew attention to its unique offerings. Henry McGhie, who has served as a consultant on the project, said: “The museum’s collection punches well above its weight for a small museum.
“The new gallery provides opportunities for people to explore the rich variety of the world’s birds and offers practical ways for visitors to get involved in conserving and restoring nature.
“And yes, if you’re wondering, a Bornean Bristlehead really does have a bristly head!”
David Evans, Head of Health and Communities, remarked: “This new gallery is something Mansfield can truly be proud of and will undoubtedly help put the area on the map.
“It revitalizes items that had been kept hidden in storage for decades and were at real risk of deterioration.
“This gallery brings a modern and inclusive relevance to these beautiful and intriguing specimens of Victorian and Edwardian natural history taxidermy.
“We hope this new attraction will draw visitors from far and wide and serve as a rich educational resource for local families, promoting a deeper understanding of the natural world.”
Among the main features of the new gallery are:
- Spectacular display cases of birds from many parts of the world, assembled in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Historically important specimens, including the first-known occurrences of particular species in the UK, as well as locally rare birds.
- An art gallery and community gallery space featuring rotating exhibitions.
- A meeting space for small groups to explore natural history topics, supported by educational resources.
The gallery also aims to direct visitors toward practical conservation activities and serves as a platform for local people and community groups working to conserve and restore nature.
The new gallery was made possible thanks to funding of £76,700 from the Arts Council England (ACE) Unlocking Collections Fund. This funding is in addition to the theatre and museum’s £1.7 million National Portfolio Organisation funding status from ACE.
