Something that has looked me in the eye every time I walked I’ve walked down the high street in the near five years I’ve lived in Canterbury, is The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge (what a name!), commonly known as the Beaney Museum. I have been lucky to visit a number of times over the past few years, despite the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic limited access for a while. It is my aim within this blog, to provide an overview of the museum, highlight its exhibits, and the overall visitor experience. I have a soft spot for local museums, as you may have been able to tell from some of my past posts. One of the Beaney Museum’s standout features is its diverse range of exhibits, encompassing art, history, and natural sciences. The museum offers a rich collection of artifacts, paintings, sculptures, and interactive displays that cater to a wide range of interests and age groups.

Upon entering the Beaney Museum, visitors are immediately captivated by its striking architecture, blending historic and contemporary elements seamlessly. The museum’s exterior preserves the elegance of its original design, while the interior offers a modern and inviting space for exploration. The building itself is a work of art, creating an atmosphere that sets the stage for a memorable museum visit. The first room you come to is The Garden Room, which is dedicated to the work of prominent Canterbury-born artist Thomas Sidney Cooper (1803 – 1902) and explores our relationship with animals throughout history. What really catches your eyes are the huge oil paintings of cows that are hung on the walls, which must have taken weeks to dry, and perfect. Elsewhere in the room are various other works of art and natural history specimens, which help to illustrate how nature has influenced our thoughts and art through time.

Depending on which way you navigate through the museum, the next room you come too, may be different, but as a zoologist, I always head towards Colour & Camouflage after passing through The Garden Room. As I am sure many of you know, colours within the natural world are often used as a warning sign (think of bees or wasps), or for attraction (how many brightly coloured birds are there?). Apart from standing out, colour can also be used to blend in and hide from predators, or prey, especially if you’re an ambush hunter. Included within the rainbow of specimens are examples of both animals and minerals filled with colour, or are doing their best to hide in plain sight. The majority of the birds on display come from a collection bequeathed to the museum in 1903 by William Oxenden Hammond (1817-1903).

On the opposite wall is the cabinet photographed below, which in everything is extremely colourful (for the most part). It is hard to see from this photo, but there are a number of specimens that encapsulate pretty much every colour. Some of the specimens have faded a little over time, which isn’t surprising given their age, but they still look spectacular. There isn’t too much going on in each display either, which means they are easy to follow, and remain engaging. The museum’s dedication to science and natural history is evident through these well-curated displays, with an exploration into the fauna and geology collected either locally, or donated by collectors that lived locally. It is a shame that plants do not feature more within the natural history collections, but this may be a limitation of the collection held at the Beaney itself. As always, we need to do more to help combat plant blindness.

The art collection at the Beaney Museum is particularly impressive. It spans various periods and styles, showcasing both local and international artists. From classical masterpieces to contemporary installations, the museum’s art exhibits provide a comprehensive survey of artistic expression. The curatorial efforts are commendable, as the displays are well-organised, allowing visitors to appreciate the artworks in a coherent and engaging manner, no matter their age. One of the best exhibits that demonstrates this is People & Places, which houses an exceptional collection of paintings and other historical objects from the Canterbury area. This collection of artwork spans an impressive 500 years, yet it has been effectively weaved together so you would never know. The back wall of the room heavily features works relating to Geoffrey Chaucer, who is best known for the Canterbury Tales.

The Smallfilm Gallery, is a temporary exhibit celebrating the work of the Award winning Smallfilms duo – Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate. Smallfilms was set up at Firmin’s home in Blean (just outside of Canterbury), and produced a number of childhood favourites such as Bagpuss, the Clangers, and Noggin the Nog. Growing up in the 90s, children’s television programs had moved onto CGI animation for the most part, unless they were live-action. However, every now and again I would catch a glimpse of one of the shows that has given Smallfilms its local notoriety. It is a shame that traditional animation styles (like most things), are becoming rarer and rarer as more and more becomes computer assisted. Other than the television productions, the characters that Firmin and Postgate created generated a number of books, comics, and other merchandise, which can also be seen throughout the exhibit. If you want to get up close and relive your childhood, you’re going to have to be quick as this exhibition is only on display until the 28th July 2024 (just over a year from the time of writing).

Materials and Masters is the next room that one comes too when visiting the Beaney Museum, which examines how a number of raw materials have been used and shaped by mankind through the centuries. There are various cabinets flowing with examples of Vegetable, Glass, Stone, Animal, Metal and Earth artefacts, each with its own story. Many explore how these raw materials had been transformed by craftsmen to form a useful role, such as metal into coins and weapons, flint tools made from local rocks, and a comb made from tortoiseshell. This is one of busiest rooms within the Beaney, and thankfully there are useful guidebooks on hand to help identify each of the objects, and their history. In one of the corners stands a large dolls house, which itself is a much smaller version of the very exhibit it sits in regarding the myriad of materials displayed within. As you can probably see from the photo below, there are a number of 16th Century Dutch oil painting which adorn the walls.

Have you every wondered about the lives of those explorers that bought back interesting specimens to Europe? The Study Early sheds some light on these amateurs who were motivated to learn about the world around them, by looking more closely at things. The main exhibit within this gallery is a cabinet of curiosities, made from personal collections of unusual and inspiring objects that were the historical precursor to the museum. This is reflected in the former name of the building, the Canterbury Historical Society, which no doubt led to the collection of artefacts from all around the world in order to satisfy the curiosity of the Society. On display are such specimens as a two-headed shark, a four-legged duckling, and my personal favourite, a pair of chameleons. It is in this gallery that was also get to learn about the founder of the Beaney Museum, Dr James George Beaney. His portrait hangs on the wall, along with various boards retelling this story. Upon his death in 1891, Dr Beaney left money in his will to the city of Canterbury, which eventually led to the forming of the very museum I am writing about.

The final gallery within The Beaney is that of the Explorers and Collectors, a unique collection of various different collections brought together to tell the tales of Kent’s great explorers across Asia, Africa, and South America. The majority of this gallery represents a snapshot of a bygone age, from a time when the British explored, surveyed and plundered riches from across the globe. Think of this room as a smaller version of the British Museum. Not everything within Explorers and Collectors has come from some far corner of the globe, there are those from excavations from Anglo-Saxon Kent, and militaria from the East Kent Regiment, among the artefacts from Ancient Eqypt, India, and elsewhere around the world.

Overall, the Beaney Museum in Canterbury is a true gem. The building also houses the city’s public library, which is always a great way to encourage people to read. Its well-curated exhibits, impressive art collection, and commitment to education and accessibility make it an enriching destination for locals and tourists alike. Whether you’re interested in art, history, or science, the museum’s diverse offerings and welcoming atmosphere guarantee a memorable experience. No matter how long you are in Canterbury for, I would highly recommend a visit to the Beaney Museum for its journey through time, culture, and knowledge.

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