HOPE for the Future

'Heritage, Outreach and Preservation of Entomology'

Our ambitious HOPE for the Future project focuses on the intertwined heritage of our British Insect Collection and Westwood Room – originally called ‘Mr Hope’s Museum’ after Frederick William Hope, a founding collector of this Museum in the 1840s. Hope’s museum within a museum became a favourite meeting place for naturalists: Charles Darwin called Hope ‘my father in entomology’.

The British Insect Collection contains over one million specimens representing all insect groups from butterflies, beetles and bees to flies to fleas and is ‘Designated’ by Arts Council England as being of national and international importance.

The Collection spans almost the entire history of British entomology, representing extensive information on the biodiversity of Britain, documenting how it has changed during and after the Industrial Revolution. It offers an extraordinary window into the natural world with dozens of iconic species now considered extinct in the UK, including the large copper butterfly, blue stag beetle and many examples of the first British capture of insect species, some unique.

As public awareness of the climate and biodiversity crisis increases, such museum collections are vital in understanding the extent of species loss and ecology damage.

Through investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and with thanks to National Lottery players we can preserve 200 years of natural heritage to be shared now and with future generations.

By the end of 2022 we will:

Rehouse and document over one million British insects alongside volunteers and visitors
Design and deliver a wide-reaching learning and community programme at the Museum and beyond, developing skills and inspiring lifelong interest in the natural environment and conservation
Restore and make accessible our historic Pre-Raphaelite-designed Westwood Room, creating new multi-purpose public spaces with displays looking at biodiversity, habitat loss, and the value of museum collections in documenting these changes and their impacts.

Image showing a hand picking up an insect specimen from the collection at OUMNH

Image of Paul Smith with insects from the OUMNH collection

Image showing an insect from the OUMNH collection being placed in a collections case

Image showing completed paper insects from a make your own beetle activity

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HOPE-related learning resources

Visit our learning resources page to enjoy insect-related activities. Explore British insects, learning resources for schools and home, and more!

Image showing three rows of pinned Coleoptera specimens from the HOPE insect collection. The insects are black with some brown on their wings.

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Crunchy on the Outside: a blog for young entomologists

Our team will be sharing news about insects and the natural world, people who work with insects and help to protect them, the work behind the scenes at the Museum, and new things for you to make and do.

HOPE Great green bush crickets with Oxford University Museum of Natural History arch

Support HOPE for the Future

HOPE for the Future is the Museum’s ambitious project to protect and share its amazing British Insect Collection. The unique and irreplaceable British Insect Collection contains more than a million specimens, representing all insect groups from butterflies, beetles, and bees to flies and fleas. Find out more about why we need your support to protect this extraordinary collection and share it with the world.

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HOPE for the Future – Heritage, Outreach and Preservation of Entomology