Etches Collection at Kimmeridge Museum Reopens After Extensive Refit

Queues formed at the door, on Monday 25th March, at Kimmeridge Museum after an extensive five-week closure for a £220,000 refurbishment. The Jurassic era fossil displays within The Etches Collection at Kimmeridge in Dorset has reopened its doors just in time for the Easter holidays. This eagerly anticipated reopening saw visitors gathered to catch a glimpse of the museum's newest attraction: David Attenborough’s Sea Rex skull.

The focal point of the renovated gallery, the Sea Rex skull, commands pride of place, surrounded by newly installed cabinets showcasing some of the rarest fossils in the world. These enhancements not only allow for optimal display conditions but also enable museum staff to exhibit more of their extensive collection. Notably, the exhibits have been meticulously rearranged by species, grouping together prehistoric ichthyosaurs, pliosaurs, fish, crocodiles, sharks, ammonites, and rays for an immersive experience.

Despite the excitement surrounding the Sea Rex exhibit, attention has turned to the urgent need for fundraising. With a £150,000 target set to excavate the remaining pliosaur skeleton from the cliffs above Kimmeridge beach, recent donations have propelled the fundraising total to over £18,000. The impending threat of natural erosion adds a sense of urgency to the need for excavation.

The Etches Collection boasts a remarkable assembly of fossils from the late Jurassic era, primarily sourced from Kimmeridge Bay. Many of these invaluable artifacts were discovered by museum curator Steve Etches, while others, including the pliosaur snout that initiated the extraction operation, were generously donated by local fossil collector Philip Jacobs. Notably, Jacobs' contributions also include the museum’s ichthyosaur, affectionately nicknamed Britney.

Thanks to a generous grant of £219,500 from the Wolfson Foundation and the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport’s museums and galleries improvement fund, the gallery refurbishment has been made possible. As the museum anticipates its 20,000th visitor of 2024 during the Easter holidays, it reflects on its journey from a local gem to national prominence, propelled by exposure through the David Attenborough show.

In addition to the fossil exhibits, visitors can explore a new landscape art exhibition by Dorset artist Caz Scott, celebrating the geological wonders of the Jurassic coastline. As excitement mounts and anticipation builds, the Etches Collection stands ready to welcome visitors into a world of ancient marvels and natural beauty.

Photo credit: Kimmeridge Museum