Abstract

This will be an evening opening exclusively for the Friends, hosted by the Director Dr Liz Hide, with a rare opportunity to view some of the historic founding collection of Dr John Woodward (1665-1728), as well as the new display From Magma to Magnets, and to explore the rest of the museum if you wish.

The Woodward collection comprises about 9,400 rocks, fossils, minerals, and archaeological artefacts collected between about 1690 and 1725, retained within the original walnut secretaire-style cabinets. It was made by Woodward in order to gather evidence to help him understand the structure of the Earth and explain the occurrence of the different types of rocks, minerals, and fossils. The collection includes material donated by Sir Isaac Newton, Sir Christopher Wren, Sir Edmund Halley and Captain William Dampier.

More information about the Woodward collection can be found here: Woodwardian Collection | Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences