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Topographical mineralogy, the conservation of minerals and the preservation of mineralogical sites

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Archives for February 2020

Casting light on Florence Nightingale’s minerals?

15th February 2020 By Michael Dunmore

We have been asked by Dr Mike Howe, Chief Curator and Head of the National Geological Repository for help in locating rocks, minerals and fossils owned by Florence Nightingale. This is Mike’s message and request for help:

I have recently heard from Jane Middleton-Smith, Archive manager for John Smedley Ltd, Lea Mills, Lea Bridge, Matlock, Derbyshire. She is trying to locate a collection of rocks, minerals and fossils donated by Florence Nightingale to Lea School (Derbyshire) in 1881. (The Nightingale Family was a prominent family in the local area; 2020 is the bicentenary of Florence’s birth.)

The fine quality specimens were purchased from a ‘Mr Butler’ (possibly Francis H Butler?) and sent to Mr Burton, the Schoolmaster. Apparently, Burton had a case made and gave lectures on geology to the children and to the local Institute.

The collection has disappeared – almost certainly prior to the 1960s. The present staff of the school have never heard of it. Jane has contacted all of the obvious places: Buxton and Derby Museums and the Derbyshire Record Office and drawn a blank. Can anyone help?

If you can help Mike, please contact him by email at: [email protected]

Filed Under: News

Symposium on UK Museum Mineral Collections

9th February 2020 By Michael Dunmore

Members and non-members are invited to a one-day symposium that will explore perspectives on UK Museums and their Mineral Collections in the 21st Century. The event takes place on 21 March 2020 at Woodhouse, near Leicester.

Points of view on this important topic will be discussed by several influential speakers including Mike Rumsey of the Natural History Museum, and Tom Cotterell from the National Museum of Wales.

More details about the event and how to book your place are here.

Filed Under: News

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