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Old stones and bones

September 18, 2012
On my day trip to Cambridge we ended up going into the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences to escape the rain and I am so very glad we did! I had no idea of what we would be finding and it was a very pleasant surprise.

The museum harbours a collection of minerals, fossils and other related items, displayed in the original casings since it was built, in a victorian style. Modern signs have been added to some of the displays but it still maintains the feel of what it would be like to visit an old style museum.
I totally felt like a kid as memories of my “Pre-Historical phase” started resurfacing – when I was 10 or so, one of my favourite books, that I would read and re-read was the Pre Historical volume of a Natural Sciences Encyclopedia I owned. I used to know a lot of the dinosaur names and other random critters and facts. Most of that knowledge is gone and forgotten but the sense of wonder when looking at these things isn’t.

Giant amonites.

These vegetable fossils kind of remind me of H R Giger’s art.

I honestly could have spent the whole day there, armed with a sketchbook and a few pencils. It was that inspiring!

Meet my new friend, the upright Iguanodon!
After seeing this museum we went across the patio to the Archaeology and Anthropology Museum, where I also took a bunch of nice photos. I will also be sharing those soon.
I wish I had some sort of similar place close by as I can easily envision myself spending hours just sat somewhere on the floor doodling away. Do you go to museums often? Which one is your favourite?

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6 Comments

  • Reply Joni September 18, 2012 at 13:50

    Wow, even the wood cabinets are beautiful! I don't often go to museums unless we're on vacation and we don't want to be outside. I'm betting the museums are more interesting in Europe too. Two favorite places I've been are the Picasso museum in Barcelona and also the Palau de la Musica. We just don't have structures like there here in the states. As you know, we enjoy tearing down and rebuilding. ;(

  • Reply señora Allnut September 18, 2012 at 20:53

    My favorite is The Natural History Museum, London. Love its Victorian Architecture, it's like a Science Cathedral!, and all that dinosaurs and old wood cabinets, and whales, and bugs!! whouu It makes me feel enthusiastic as a child!
    besos & trilobites

  • Reply Amber of Butane Anvil September 19, 2012 at 03:13

    Ever beautiful, thank you Sara! I love museums but don't often have opportunity to go. How wonderful that this one has preserved its original exhibit structures, a museum of itself. 🙂

  • Reply Connie September 19, 2012 at 04:32

    I LOVE natural history museums. So Victorian and strange. Wonderful.
    Connie*

  • Reply Vix September 19, 2012 at 11:38

    What fab pictures and a totally brilliant day out! Love your sight seeing outfit, too! x

  • Reply Andrea Deal September 21, 2012 at 13:10

    Great photos! It looks like an amazing museum! Sitting on the floor in a museum doodling with you sounds like the perfect way to spend an afternoon 🙂

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