Our own Smithsonian

Abstract

Visitors to Washington DC cannot help but be impressed by the group of nineteen museums which comprise the famous Smithsonian Institute. Armidale is unique in rural Australia for having its own 'mini Smithsonian'. The aggregated holdings of the University of New England comprise the largest collection of scientific and cultural material held by a single institution in non-metropolitan Australia. In addition the Armidale Dumaresq area boasts eight cultural and social museums and five archives, albeit some only open by special arrangement. Housed on the main University campus are the 'Museum of Antiquities', the 'Zoology Museum', the 'N.C.W. Beadle Herbarium' and the rare books collection at the Dixson Library. Located on South Hill overlooking the city is the Newling campus, the former Armidale Teachers College/ Armidale C.A.E. where, in the main building, the Friends of the Old Teachers' College have history and war memorial rooms. In a separate building on the corner of Dangar and Kentucky Streets, the Heritage Centre houses the University of New England and Regional Archives. The museum collections were assembled over the years by dedicated academic and technical staff who recognised that students' learning would be stimulated and enhanced through access to well-presented specimens relevant to their studies. Generous donations and targeted exchanges with other institutions within Australia and overseas have resulted in comprehensive and impressive collections to benefit visitors and researchers.