A display at The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Dundee Naturalists' Society, has opened to the public.
Formed in 1874, it is the longest-running natural history society in Dundee. It has had a continuing connection with McManus since its inception, initially in the form of the Albert Institute. J.B. Corr, one of the first museum natural history curators, was secretary of the society and others became presidents during the twentieth century.
Set up to champion Science and technology in Dundee and act as a networking organisation for interested Dundonians, it organised field expeditions, lectures from prominent Scottish Scientists and exhibitions called conversaziones, which attracted thousands of visitors.
However, it was not the first society, the earliest society was founded in 1708 by local surgeon Patrick Blair (c.1670-1728), famous for dissecting an elephant that died on the road between Dundee and Brought ferry in 1706 but closed when Blair was imprisoned as a Jacobite sympathiser. At least 19 societies with some interest in natural history are known to have existed in Dundee.
Nearly 2500 natural history objects from the society and their library of over 700 textbooks and other ephemera have been donated to The McManus over the last century. Amongst the objects on display are examples of archaeology plants, birds, butterflies, moths and shells from around Dundee.
The exhibition also compares attitudes of the early years of society to the present day, highlighting how advances in technology have changed the way we look at the natural world.
David Lampard, Curator of Geology & Zoology at Leisure & Culture Dundee said
“This display is a tribute to the curiosity and dedication of generations of naturalists who have explored and documented our rich natural heritage. It is fascinating to see how their discoveries and methods have evolved over the past 150 years. We hope visitors will be inspired by both the history and the ongoing importance of understanding the natural world.”
Entry is free and the display is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm and Sundays, 12:30pm-4:30pm.
Photo: David Lampard (right) looks on at a portrait of D'Arcy Thompson with current members of the Dundee Naturalists Society
