Quizeum Season 2 Episode 7 The Horniman Museum, London
- January 1, 2015
- 29 min
In Quizeum season 2 episode 7, titled "The Horniman Museum, London", viewers are invited to explore one of London's most unique cultural institutions, the Horniman Museum. Host Griff Rhys Jones takes us on a journey through the museum's fascinating collections, from beautiful musical instruments to stunning natural history specimens and intriguing anthropological objects.
Located in Forest Hill, South London, the Horniman Museum was founded by Victorian tea trader and philanthropist Frederick Horniman in the late 19th century. Horniman was a keen traveler who amassed a large collection of objects during his trips around the world, which he housed in his family home. However, as the collection continued to grow, he decided to create a purpose-built museum for his treasures.
Today, the Horniman Museum is home to over 350,000 objects, ranging from taxidermy animals and fossils to textiles and ceramics. One of the museum's most famous attractions is its impressive collection of musical instruments, which includes over 8,000 objects from all around the world. In the episode, Griff explores this collection with the help of guest expert Matthew Coltman, an ethnomusicologist from the Royal College of Music. Viewers are treated to a range of unusual musical performances, from a rare Chinese instrument called the paixiao to a set of giant African maracas.
Another highlight of the Horniman Museum is its extensive natural history collection. The museum has a number of galleries dedicated to different areas of the natural world, including a popular aquarium and a butterfly house. Griff is joined by conservationist and butterfly expert Rosie Goodwin to explore this area of the museum and learn more about these fascinating creatures. Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to stunning close-up footage of butterflies and other insects, as well as insights into the importance of conservation work to protect these delicate species.
The Horniman Museum also has a strong focus on anthropology, with its collection of objects and artifacts from different cultures around the world. In the episode, Griff meets with guest expert John Mack, an anthropologist from the University of East London, to explore the museum's anthropological collections. They discuss the importance of these objects in understanding different cultures and how they have been collected and displayed over the years.
Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to a range of fun and interactive quizzes and challenges, designed to test their knowledge of the Horniman Museum and its collections. Whether it's identifying different bird calls or guessing the origins of an unusual object, there's plenty to keep viewers engaged and learning.
Overall, "The Horniman Museum, London" is a fascinating and educational episode of Quizeum that offers a unique insight into one of London's hidden gems. With its diverse collection of objects and focus on cultural education, the Horniman Museum is a fascinating institution that will appeal to visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you're a seasoned museum-goer or simply curious to learn more about the natural world and different cultures, this episode is sure to entertain and educate.