Closed to the Public Since WWII, a ‘Hidden’ Gallery at London’s Natural History Museum Opens Its Doors Once Again

In September, London’s Natural History Museum will once again welcome visitors to the Nature and Us gallery, a space closed since World War II. The exhibition, which opens on September 16, will showcase 50 diverse objects from the museum's collections, exploring the intricate relationship between humans and nature. Museum director Doug Gurr expressed excitement about the gallery's reopening, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with our natural surroundings.

The Natural History Museum, originally built in 1881 by architect Alfred Waterhouse, features elaborate terra cotta carvings depicting animals and plants on its exterior. During the war, scientists conducted research on the museum grounds and some galleries trained members of Britain's secret intelligence networks. When bombing raids damaged the building, this particular gallery was repurposed to house surviving botanical specimens, previously displacing mammals and skeletons.

Upon its reopening, the gallery will display a range of captivating artifacts, including a Victorian monk seal named Jenny, a replica of a 14,300-year-old dog jaw discovered in Gough's Cave, and a Star Wars toy encrusted with bryozoan. These exhibits aim to highlight the connections between humans and the natural world. The exhibition also sheds light on the evolution of scientific understanding over time, such as the 400,000-year-old ax discovered in a French quarry, alongside a woolly mammoth, which played a crucial role in establishing humanity's ancient history.

Additionally, visitors will be able to view a Victorian miniature model of a Crystal Palace dinosaur, showcasing early perceptions of prehistoric life. The reopening of the Nature and Us gallery is part of the Natural History Museum's NHM150 project, a fundraising campaign aiming to open or renovate one gallery each year until the museum's 150th anniversary in 2031.

Museum officials are confident that the new exhibition will inspire visitors to consider their own relationship with nature and the role science can play in driving positive change for our planet.