Details for Rotunda Museum

The Rotunda is the 2nd oldest purpose-built museum in Britain. Built to the specifications of William Smith - the father of English geology - in 1828, the museum has been a focal point for geology and local history enthusiasts ever since. Following major investments and a two-year re-fit, the museum now encompasses all the interactive technologies demanded of a modern museum. At the same time in the central Rotunda Gallery you will find a remarkable space that explains the Scarborough that existed in Smith's days as well as some of the characters that populated the town at the time. The first floor Shell Gallery focuses on research and 21st century developments whilst the Dinosaur Coast Gallery offers bright, colourful and family friendly hands on experience of our coastline and its treasures.

Collections description:

The Rotunda Gallery houses specimens from William Smith's own collection that is on display for the first time and focuses on social history through various well known characters of Smith's time.
The Dinosaur Coast Gallery focuses on the nature and geology of the coast from Redcar to Flamborough and includes a fossil ID station for budding geologists.
The Shell Geology Now Gallery primarily focuses on the scientific processes behind both geology and archaeology with dinosaurs and Gristhorpe Man.