Rotunda Museum, Scarborough:

The Rotunda is one of the oldest purpose built museums in Britain still fulfilling its original role. Overlooking Scarborough’s South Bay this small, handsome building is an important part of Britain’s scientific heritage. In May 2006, the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded just under £2m towards the redevelopment of the Rotunda Museum as a centre of geology for the region.

William Anelay has been contracted to carry out some essential external stonemasonry repairs and to cover the existing dome roof with a new lead covering. The contract includes the demolition of some internal walls and the building of an extension to the front of the property. This will provide a new entrance area, offices and toilet facilities and allow access from the path to the building at basement level. The existing spiral staircase will be removed and a new one installed allowing for a lift shaft in the centre. The museum will be closed during the restoration and refurbishment period and is expected to re-open in Autumn 2007.

Photograph by Tony Bartholomew

William Smith, dubbed ‘Father of English Geology’ came to Scarborough after his release from debtors’ prison where the dramatic coastline offered him an area of geological richness. The Rotunda Museum was built to Smith’s design suggestion and the original display of fossils illustrated his ideas.

For more information on the museum, click on the link below:

www.rotundamuseum.org.uk