“In the Barnfield Hall on Thursday evening, Mr F.R. Rowley gave a lantern lecture on 'Natural History -- Museums -- Their evolution and value,' Mr W.A. Cunningham presided.

In his opening remarks Mr Rowley called attention to the changed ideas now prevailing respecting the treatment of material in Museums, and pointed out how, of late years, many Museums had been transformed from storehouses of curiosities into places of great public interest and educational utility.

[a summary of 'the origin and development of some of the best known collections in this country' follows]

The greater part of the lecture was, however, occupied with a description of many modern improvements in the preservation and display of objects of natural history. By means of an extensive and beautiful series of slides the most important points in this department of Museum administration were emphasized. The lecturer touched in turn upon the arrangement of collections to illustrate special facts in Nature, the structure and classification of animal groups, the preservation of delicate organisms for purposes of display, and recent advances made in the art of Taxidermy, special mention being made of the magnificent mammal groups in the Chicago Museum. The value of models in Museum work was touched upon, as also the employment of special methods in the display of collections of fossils. It was pointed out in conclusion that Museums of all kinds were destined to play an increasingly important part in the intellectual life of the community, though unfortunately many Museums had still to lament the lack of a stable organization and adequate means of support.”