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Archive for oxford natural history museum

Oxford’s Cathedral to Science

By Linda Tancs

Founded in 1860, Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History was created in the neo-Gothic style to evoke a cathedral–in this case, a cathedral to science.  Its insect collection, five million specimens strong, rivals that of the Natural History Museum in London.  It’s probably better known, though, for the dinosaurs, the dodo, and the swifts in the tower.  Visitors are greeted by “Stan,” a complete replica of a T-rex skeleton found in South Dakota.  Even more fascinating are the most complete remains of a dodo anywhere in the world, one of the museum’s greatest treasures.  The museum recently reopened after a 14-month restoration of its glass roof.