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Recent releases
A taxidermy corncrake in Dumfries Museum’s collection was the starting point for an exhibition which has been over two years in the making. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is running a nationwide project, ‘Corncrake Calling’ which focuses on the plight of the corncrake.
Dumfries Museum is hosting one of the outcomes of this project: an exhibition with a series of interactive tables designed by schoolchildren from across Scotland. Each of the interactive stations considers a different theme such as migration, biodiversity and habitats which will help visitors learn about the corncrake and think of ways to help protect it in future.
Councillor Archie Dryburgh, Chair of the Council's Communities Committee said:
“Our visitors will be encouraged to complete a challenge codenamed Operation Broken Feather which I’m sure they will find interesting and enjoyable. We are pleased to be able to work with the RPSB on this project."
Having a natural history focused exhibition provided a great starting point for the museum team to search through their collections to showcase other objects from their stores. This includes a pangolin, the skin of a sloth, a giant tortoise, the skull of the last boar killed in Dumfries and Galloway and the rostrum (or saws) of sawfish to name but a few! Large fibreglass animals such as a crocodile, jaguar and koala bear have also been hidden around the museum for younger visitors to ‘spot’ and complete a trail when they visit.
Councillor John Campbell, Vice Chair of the Communities Committee added:
“The collection at Dumfries Museum is really first rate and it is wonderful to see these historic objects being displayed and interpreted for modern audiences. The exhibition considers the ethics of past collecting and how climate change, hunting and industrial agricultural practices have impacted on the animal kingdom.”
Visit Dumfries before 19 November to experience the new exhibition ‘Corncrakes and Other Creatures in Crisis’ (and you might spot a few other animals hidden around the museum too.)
Dumfries Museum and exhibition is open Tuesday to Saturday and is free entry.
