The Lapworth Museum of Geology

The Lapworth Museum of Geology dates back to 1880, and is one of the oldest specialist geological museums in the UK. Throughout its long history the Lapworth Museum has provided a valuable resource for students, schools and colleges, research workers, enthusiasts, and anyone with a desire to learn about geology. The museum is named after Charles Lapworth, the first Professor of Geology at Mason College, the forerunner of the University of Birmingham. Lapworth was one of the most important and influential geologists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The museum now contains in excess of 250,000 specimens. In addition to fossils, rocks and minerals, there are large collections of zoological specimens, stone axes, scientific instruments, and also early geological maps and photographic material. The Lapworth Archive represents one of the most complete records of the work of a scientist from that period.

The palaeontological collections are particularly important both scientifically and historically, with exceptionally well-preserved specimens from the Midlands and many other famous fossil localities in the UK, and throughout the world. There are fine collections of fossil fish, Lower Palaeozoic invertebrates, Coal Measures flora and fauna, and Lapworth’s graptolites.

For further information on the Lapworth Museum, visit http://www.lapworth.bham.ac.uk and to search the collection online, go to www.mobius.bham.ac.uk

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