We are busily preparing for next week's Heritage Week so we thought you'd like to know what's in store! This years theme of 'It's in our Nature' fits in perfectly with one of our prized Heritage Collections, the RCSI Natural History Specimen Collection! It comprises approximately 200 specimens across the disciplines of zoology and biology and range in items such as frogs in glass jars preserved in formaldehyde, a duckbilled platypus 'prepared' by a past museum curator, a tiger skull donated by a prominent doctor and various incy wincy spiders picked up from all around the world.
Why, do you ask, does a College of Surgeons hold such type of items? It all started at the early stages of RCSI's history when in 1775, William Dease, one of the founding members of RCSI, presented a collection of anatomical preparations to RCSI. Using these preparations, the College decided to fit up a museum in RCSI's first building on Mercer Street. It had its very own Committee which goes to show the importance they put on it!
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| RCSI Museum in 123 Stephens Green |
From there on in many contributions were made by the professors and other members of the College community who saw the specimens collections as something to develop and nurture. Collections were showcased to the general public and used as an opportunity for teachers and students to carry out anatomical procedures. The Museum was then moved to 123 Stephens Green where it flourished in size and variation. Keep an eye out for more blog posts where we further dissect the history of said Museum.
Sadly the RCSI Museum is no longer in existence and only a fraction of the collection is with us...Check these out on our online catalogue link here: Online catalogue of RCSI Natural Specimen Collection
If you have a curious disposition come on in and take a look. It's in your NATURE!!
Sadly the RCSI Museum is no longer in existence and only a fraction of the collection is with us...Check these out on our online catalogue link here: Online catalogue of RCSI Natural Specimen Collection
So... Come visit us over Heritage Week this year where you can see some of these items for yourself. Take one of our scheduled guided tours and experience our living museum in the College halls as collections are showcased around RCSI: Heritage Week Tours in Royal College of Surgeons
If you have a curious disposition come on in and take a look. It's in your NATURE!!