Bournemouth Natural Science Society

The Bournemouth Natural Science Society (BNSS) is a registered charity and membership organisation based in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. Formed in 1903, its stated aims have changed little over more than a century: to promote study, interest and enjoyment in all branches of the natural sciences and history. It pursues these aims through a museum, a lecture and events programme, study groups, field meetings, cultural visits and social activities. The Society's home is a grand late Victorian Grade II listed building on the outskirts of Bournemouth town centre. It houses a museum whose collections include preserved natural history specimens — plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, eggs and shells — alongside extensive collections of fossils, rocks and minerals. The museum also holds archaeological artefacts and an Egyptology collection that includes a 2,500-year-old mummy in its sarcophagus. In addition, the Society cares for many thousands of photographic slides dating from the late 19th century and two libraries holding over 5,000 volumes available for loan and reference. The building's grounds feature a garden designed to encourage wildlife in an urban environment. The museum is open to the public on most Tuesdays throughout the year, and the Society runs an extensive programme of events including lectures, extra museum open days (especially in August), exhibitions, study groups, field meetings, cultural visits and social activities. A Young Explorers group for children aged 7 to 12 meets monthly on the second Saturday, with sessions on topics such as astronomy, archaeology, geology, chemistry and natural history. In January 2016 the Society was awarded Accredited Museum status by Arts Council England, a nationally agreed standard for museums. The Society has stated that it is keen to embrace new ideas and modernise aspects of its operation while retaining its unique heritage, with forthcoming plans including refurbishment within the Society building. It is supported in kind by 34SP.com, which provides free website hosting as part of a programme benefiting around 600 UK charities.

The Bournemouth Natural Science Society was formed in 1903 with the aim of promoting the study of all branches of science and natural history. From its earliest years it combined a membership society model — lectures, field trips and study groups — with the accumulation of collections that would form the basis of its museum. For more than a hundred years the Society has educated and inspired both its members and the general public through a varied programme of lectures, museum open days, field trips, study groups and exhibitions. Its home is a grand late Victorian Grade II listed building located on the outskirts of Bournemouth town centre, which houses its museum and library facilities. The museum's holdings grew to include a menagerie of preserved natural history specimens — plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, eggs and shells — as well as extensive collections of fossils, rocks and minerals. The Society also assembled numerous archaeological artefacts and an Egyptology collection that boasts a 2,500-year-old mummy in its sarcophagus. Its archives include many thousands of photographic slides dating from the late 19th century, and two libraries holding over 5,000 volumes available for loan and reference. The grounds feature a garden aimed at encouraging wildlife in an urban environment. In January 2016 the Society was awarded Accredited Museum status by Arts Council England. The Accreditation Scheme sets nationally agreed standards for museums, inspires the confidence of the public and funding and governing bodies, and helps museums assess their performance and plan for the future. In the present day the Society continues to run an extensive programme of events throughout the year, including lectures, extra museum open days (especially in August), exhibitions, study groups, field meetings, cultural visits and social activities. Its Young Explorers group, for young people aged 7 to 12, meets on the second Saturday of each month with two sessions per meeting, covering topics such as ancient Egypt, astronomy, shells, geology, mathematics, the Silk Roads, World War I, owl pellets, chemistry and more. The Society has stated that it is keen to embrace new ideas and modernise certain aspects of its operation while recognising the importance of retaining its unique heritage, with forthcoming plans including refurbishment within the Society building.

• 2016

  In January 2016 the Society is awarded Accredited Museum status by Arts Council England.

• 1903

  The Bournemouth Natural Science Society is formed with the aim of promoting the study of all branches of science and natural history.

A volunteer-led, membership-based charitable society and accredited museum dedicated to public engagement with natural science and history in Bournemouth.

• Museum open days

  The Society's museum is open most Tuesdays throughout the year from 10am to 4pm, with extra open days especially in August.

• Lectures and talks

  An extensive programme of lectures runs throughout the year.

• Study groups

  Study groups allow members to explore natural science and history topics in depth.

• Field meetings and cultural visits

  The Society organises field meetings and cultural visits as part of its events programme.

• Young Explorers

  A group for young people aged 7 to 12 that meets on the second Saturday of each month from 10am to 12.30pm, with two sessions per meeting.

• Library and reference collections

  Two libraries holding over 5,000 volumes available for loan and reference.

1. 1Bournemouth Natural Science Society: Home Pagebnss.org.uk
2. 2About Us - BNSSbnss.org.uk
3. 3Young Explorers - BNSSbnss.org.uk
4. 4Bournemouth Natural Science Societywikidata.org