Why Natural History Collections Are Becoming My Specialism in Museum Work 🦴🦋

My passion for Natural History began in early childhood with frequent visits to Wollaton Hall, I was always drawn to its glass cabinets filled with taxidermy, insects, fossils and skeletons. I didn’t realise it at the time, but those quiet halls planted the seed for what would become my passion!

As I prepare to start my role at the Yorkshire Natural History Museum, I’ve been thinking about why natural history collections have become such a special focus for me in museum work. It feels like a natural fit for my passion—caring for specimens is about more than just preservation; it’s about honouring stories, connecting with the past, and celebrating the quiet beauty of nature in all its forms.

💌 A Growing Passion for Natural History

Over time, I’ve found myself gently drawn deeper into the world of natural history collections. It’s a specialism that feels both meaningful and endlessly fascinating. Working with my personal collections of and museum specimens, bones, taxidermy, and natural artefacts isn’t simply about keeping things safe — it’s about connecting with the stories of life itself, weaving together science, history, and art in a way that feels alive.

For me, specimen care is an act of empathy. I’ve cleaned, articulated, and documented many of my own finds — skulls, insects, shells — and in doing so, I’ve learned patience, humility, and reverence for life’s fragility.

📖 The Power of Specimens: Stories Frozen in Time

Natural history collections hold a unique kind of magic. Each specimen is a tangible link to the past, a small piece of a much larger ecosystem paused in time. Caring for these objects means caring for the delicate balance of nature and the knowledge it holds. It’s a responsibility I approach with quiet reverence, shaped by my experiences in specimen preparation, ethical sourcing, and conservation.

With my background in general history and religious studies, people in the Natural History sector are surprised when I tell them I'm working towards a specialism in this sector. I love taxidermy collections so much, and they represent all periods in history including pre-history with fossils and skeletons being found every year to modern day ecology. In the UK, the Victorian era has depended our understanding of ecology, conservation, naturalism, and biology. With Charles Darwin's involvement in naturalism has been instrumental in the theory of evolution, the development of animal sciences and the collecting of taxidermy from 1800s onwards.

Famous naturalists like John Edmonstone the man who taught Darwin taxidermy, John Hancock a British ornithologist who is considered the father of modern taxidermy, and Martha Maxwell an American naturalist and taxidermist who created educational displays famous for Colorado Room. These figures were instrumental in the development of the taxidermy collection obsession which is still popular today from personal collections, taxidermists careers and museum displays.

⚖️ Foundations in Ethical and Careful Practice

My journey has always been rooted in respect — not just for the physical form of a specimen, but for its origins and the stories it carries. Ethical sourcing is a cornerstone of this work, ensuring that the collections we look after represent nature responsibly and sustainably. It’s about honouring the life behind each piece, no matter how small.

Ethics within natural history aren’t fixed — they have changed over time, shaped by new scientific understanding, laws, and shifting cultural values. From Victorian trophy hunting to today’s conservation-led approaches, we’ve seen a major shift towards sustainability and respect.

👐 Hands-on Learning: Patience, Precision, and Respect

Working hands-on with specimens has been a patient teacher. Whether it’s gently cleaning bones, preparing taxidermy, or cataloguing archives, every task deepens my connection to the natural world and sharpens my skills. It’s in these quiet moments of care that I feel closest to the stories these objects hold.

I've been collecting oddities and curiosities since 2021 and have found cleaning, pinning, and displaying specimens very therapeutic. It's really nice to slow down and work with my hands caring for their remains while learning more about taxidermy history, cleaning and pinning techniques, while developing my understanding and my own opinion on Natural History ethics.

🌱 More Than Objects: Educators, Storytellers, and Conservation Tools

Natural history collections are so much more than objects; they are educators, storytellers, and vital tools for conservation. Specialising in this area allows me to blend my love for nature, history, and museum work in a way that feels deeply purposeful and fulfilling.

I am excited to begin working in the Yorkshire Natural History's archives to expand my career and experience of caring for animal bones and fossils. This will be my first time working with specimens in a museum setting!

🌟 Looking Ahead

Beginning this new chapter at the Yorkshire Natural History Museum feels like the next meaningful step in a journey I’ve quietly nurtured for some time. I’m truly excited to grow my skills, care for these wonderful collections, and help share their stories with others. Here’s to embracing the wonders of natural history throughout 2026 and beyond.

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