(Un)Natural History - Private Museum Tour

Question what is 'natural' on a unique tour of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Join us for a unique tour of the Natural History Museum in Oxford. The term 'Natural History' might lead us to believe that the collections and research at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History are scientifically objective and culturally removed. This museum tour will challenge your understanding of science and scientific knowledge as we walk you through the main exhibits on a unique guided tour. The museum hosts a number of natural specimens gathered from a variety of contexts and preserved with a specific purpose.

On this tour, your guide will question the way we understand nature, highlighting unseen biases and the influence of human perspectives on collecting practice and display. By flipping the lens from a 'natural' approach to an 'unnatural' construction, we explore the historical and ideological underpinnings of natural history museums, revealing a narrative shaped by human influence, social norms, and selective choice.

Meet your guide outside the main entrance to the museum.

Please note that the tour length sometimes runs over depending on group engagement. This tour was developed in collaboration with curators and staff at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

ACCESSIBLITY:

• The museum is wheelchair accessible, but please note some crowding when busy.
• Working service animals are welcome inside the museum.
• Caregivers and accessibility aids are welcome to attend tours for free, with no need to register. We ask that they let us know in advance.
• Toilets are available at the museum, as well as storage lockers.

We cannot use amplifying audio equipment inside the museum, but please inform your guide if any visual or hearing accommodations are required and they will keep this in mind throughout the tour. All our guides receive accessibility training and are prepared to make accommodations as needed.

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