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Rotunda Museum
The Scarborough Museum is now known as the Rotunda, the William Smith Museum of Geology, and reopened on Friday 9th May 2008, after complete redevelopment generously supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Scarborough Borough Council and sponsorship and donations from the private sector. It is very much part of Scarborough’s heritage and a landmark within the town. The Rotunda, beautifully refurbished, re-opened on time and on budget.
Exhibits include:
World Class Geology in North-East Yorkshire
William Smih - The father of English Geology
In the late 18th century William Smith solved one of the great puzzles of the age; how to recognise the sequence of rocks and correlate them across country, on the basis of the fossils they contain. This discovery is the basis of all mineral and oil exploration today.
Gristhorpe Man
On Thursday July 10th 1834 an exciting discovery was made on land owned by William Beswick at Gristhorpe near Scarborough.
Gristhorpe Man is thought to be the best preserved example of an oak tree trunk burial. In 2005 he, along with his coffin and grave goods, was transported to the Department of Archaeological Sciences at Bradford University. This extraordinary find underwent a series of modern scientific tests which has increased our knowledge about Gristhorpe Man. The members of the Scarborough Philosophical Society who watched the exhumation in 1834 and preserved the remains with such care would have been fascinated by modern scientific archaeology and would heartily approve our attempts to find out more.
Gristhorpe Man returned to Scarborough in 2008 and is currently displayed at the restored Rotunda Museum where he is one of the earliest documented exhibits.
The Dinosaur Coast
Since 1999, the Dinosaur Coast summer programme of events, running from Staithes to Filey Bay and across the North York Moors National Park, has proved hugely popular with residents and holiday-makers. In 2008, the events attracted hundreds of participants a week.
The programme caters for a range of interest levels. Family Fun Days, with plenty of hands-on activities, are held at a variety of popular locations; they provide an introduction to geology, especially for young beginners. There are fossil hunts and evening strolls are ideal for people wanting to learn that little bit more about the local geology.
The programme for 2009 includes many of the old favourites mentioned above. These sessions will be linked to the museum collections held by Scarborough and Whitby Museums – come along and learn how to identify your own rocks and fossils.
Rotunda Museum
The Crescent
Town Centre
Scarborough
YO11 2NH
Phone: 01723 353665
Please contact for more information.
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