The Natural History Museum in London is one of the most famous museums in the world. It houses an incredible collection of specimens and artefacts that represent the natural world.
The museum is located in South Kensington and is part of a group of three major museums on Exhibition Road, along with the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The museum was founded in 1881, although its roots can be traced back even further to the 1750s. At that time, the British Museum began to collect natural history specimens, and in the 1850s, the collection was moved to a dedicated building in Bloomsbury.
However, as the collection continued to grow, it became clear that a new, larger building was needed. In 1864, a competition was held to design a new Natural History Museum building, and the winning design was submitted by Alfred Waterhouse. Construction on the new building began in 1873, and it was completed in 1880.
By Diliff - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=559965
The new museum was officially opened to the public on this day 18th April, 1881 by King Edward VII. At the time, the museum's collection consisted of more than 10,000 specimens, including fossils, minerals, and stuffed animals. Since then, the collection has grown exponentially, and today the museum houses more than 80 million specimens.
Over the years, the museum has become an important centre for scientific research and education. It has played a key role in the discovery and study of many important scientific specimens, including the first complete fossil of a dinosaur, the first known bird, and the first known feathered dinosaur.
By Fernando Losada Rodríguez - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4933219
The museum has also been at the forefront of conservation efforts, with a focus on preserving endangered species and habitats. It is home to a number of important conservation programs, including the Frozen Ark project, which aims to preserve the DNA of endangered species.
In addition to its scientific contributions, the museum is also a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year. Its stunning architecture and impressive collection of specimens make it a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in the natural world.
Have you visited the Natural History Museum in London? Let me know in the comments
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