Dawn Sanders NHM London UK

1
Authentic Objects? Authentic Experiences? What
role do real specimens play in modern natural
history museums?

Dawn Sanders NHM London UK Henrik Sell NHM Arhus
Denmark Gerard Cobut Institute of Natural
Sciences Brussels Belgium Dan Wormald NHM London
UK
2
Skeletons in the closet

• As far as possible we endeavour to connect
  living specimens with the dead ones in the cases,
  that they may not think the study of natural
  history a study of dead things only.
• Kate Hall Whitechapel Museum, London. Museums
  Journal 1901.

3
Of dinosaurs and plastic
4
Affective is effective
5
Workshop Outline

• Introduction
• Three Provocations
• Discussion Groups
• Plenary

6
Questions?