THE HULL MUSEUM AND EDUCATION. 



By T. Sheppard, F.G.S., Curator. 



THE history of the Museum at Hull is practically the same 

 as that of numerous other museums throughout the 

 country. In a great number of instances the collections 

 started in a small way early in the nineteenth century, and in- 

 creased in interest at the time when the Literary and Philoso- 

 phical Societies were in their prime. At that time most of the 

 leading gentlemen took a prominent' interest in natural 

 science. Times changed however, attractions of other 

 descriptions took the place of the old Literary and 

 Philosophical debates ; funds were not forthcoming as they 

 had been ; the museums became neglected as a consequence, 

 and eventually were sold or were taken over by some 

 public body. Such has been the case with the collections 

 at Hull. 



In October, 1822, just over eighty years ago, a few 

 gentlemen met at the Dog and Duck Tavern, primarily 

 to discuss the advisability of purchasing a collection of 

 curiosities from Mr. W. W. Hyde, in order to form a 

 museum for the town. At the same time the necessity for 

 some scientific institution was felt, and it was unanimously 

 decided " That an Institution be formed at Hull for the 

 general promotion of Literature and Science." On the same 

 date as the above-mentioned meeting, the collection of curios 

 was examined and purchased for /~8o. By the following July, 

 the President (Dr. J. Alderson) had delivered an address, 

 which was printed, and a further collection of fossils, shells, 

 birds, &c, had been secured for /"ioo. The rooms in the 

 Exchange were soon inadequate for the collections and 

 meetings, and in 1831, the Society removed to the building 

 now known as the Assembly Rooms in Jarratt Street, part 

 of which had been specially constructed for its convenience. 

 In June, 1855, the collections were removed to their present 

 home in the Royal Institution, Albion Street. This building 

 was opened by the late Prince Consort in 1854, an ^ cost 

 about ^"7000; Charles Frost, F.S.A., a thoroughly scientific 

 man, then being the president. 



