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Fromleft1.&2.TheDarwinCentre,
©TorbenEskerod/NaturalHistory
Museum;3.Cocoon,4.IntroTable,
both©NaturalHistoryMuseum.
One of the highlights of In addition to the vast collection of Now, through the Darwin Centre, not only
the Darwin Centre will be specimens a further ground-breaking will our visitors really understand for the
Cocoon, a journey deep into innovation at The Darwin Centre will first time why the work of our scientists is
the 65-metre-long, eight-storey- allow visitors to see into the hidden world so important, they will actually be able to
high ‘cocoon’ at the heart of the Centre. of scientific research, where some of the interact with real specimens and real
The Natural History Museum has as Centre’s 220 Museum scientists work scientists, which we hope will really bring
internationally important collection of on cutting-edge research that could the experience to life for them. With so
over 70 million plant, animal and mineral help protect the future of our planet. many issues facing the planet at this time,
specimens and in the Darwin Centre Encounters with real scientists through we hope that visitors will go away with a
alone, the Cocoon will safeguard 17 million Cocoon will give visitors insight into how real sense of awe and wonder at nature,
insect and three million plant specimens Museum scientists travel to discover and a better understanding of why the work
in world-class storage conditions. name new species, prepare specimens of the Natural History Museum is so
and organise collections that are being relevant, now more than ever, and be
On your journey through Cocoon you will used to help fight malaria or react to inspired to share in our collective
see more than 500 real insects and plants climate change. In addition to real responsibility over the future of
on display including: 124 specimens in specimens and scientists, Cocoon will the planet.’
the introductory area including an Atlas also feature over 40 high-tech installations
moth with a 16cm wingspan, the 15.5 cm and hands-on interactive activities that
elephant beetle and tiny 3mm sandflies introduce visitors to many other Museum
on microscope slides; a wall of 326 scientists, their work and its relevance
specimens over two floors, from a half- to us all. For more details on the Centre
metre crayfish to a wingless termite; and the various displays/activities on
around 50 giant plants including the offer visit the website at
www.nhm.ac.uk
1.2m hemlock water dropwort Oenanthe
THE DARWIN CENTRE
crocata; and 20 historically important Dr Michael Dixon, Director of the Natural
AT THE NATURAL HISTORY
MUSEUM
‘iconic’ specimens, including the vegetable History Museum, comments, ‘For many
Cromwell Road
lamb of Tartary, insects collected by years, hundreds of Natural
London SW7 5BD
Darwin and Wallace and a bound History Museum scientists
Open from 15 September 2009
herbarium volume containing have been working behind Daily, 10am – 5.50pm
plants gathered by the great the scenes to better (last admission to Cocoon at 5pm), free.
collector Sir Hans Sloane. understand our planet.
www.nhm.ac.uk
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