Historic Natural History Museum Gallery Reopens After 83-Year Closure
The Natural History Museum's hidden Osteology gallery reopens in September after 83 years. Explore 50 objects tracing humanity's evolving relationship with nature.
London's Natural History Museum is set to unveil a long-hidden gallery next month, offering visitors a rare glimpse into its past and a fresh perspective on humanity’s evolving bond with the natural world. The Osteology Gallery, closed to the public since 1943, will reopen on September 16 as part of a new exhibition called *Nature and Us*. The display marks the latest milestone in the museum’s ongoing NHM150 transformation project, which aims to refresh or introduce a new exhibit each year until 2031, when the institution celebrates its 150th anniversary.
Dr. Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, emphasized the significance of the reopening. “For the first time in over 80 years, visitors will be able to step into this beautiful historic space and explore our changing relationship with the natural world,” he said. The gallery, located on the second floor of the museum’s main Waterhouse Building, originally housed osteology and mammals exhibits before being repurposed during World War Two.
After the museum’s original herbarium was damaged in wartime bombing, the space was converted to store botanical collections and was closed to visitors. Now, after decades of inaccessibility, the gallery will host 50 carefully selected objects that trace humanity’s shifting understanding of nature. Among the highlights is a miniature model of a Crystal Palace dinosaur, reflecting how early scientists and artists interpreted prehistoric life. A Victorian skeleton of a monk seal named Jenny and a replica jaw of one of Britain’s earliest domesticated dogs—dating back 14,300 years—are also on display, offering insights into historical attitudes toward wildlife and domestication.
The *Nature and Us* exhibition will operate as an experimental showcase for the first 18 months. During this period, the museum invites visitor feedback to help shape the future permanent gallery, which is planned for 2029. Admission to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington remains free, and the museum is open daily.
The reopening reflects broader efforts by the Natural History Museum to modernize its public offering while preserving its historic collections and spaces. As part of its NHM150 initiative, the museum continues to expand access, reinterpret its holdings, and engage audiences in dialogue about environmental change and biodiversity.
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