The Natural History Museum

Acquisitions of the Museum of Natural History were carried out in accordance with the long-term concept of the development of the collections and also with regard to the preparation of new permanent exhibitions. The most notable acquisitions were undoubtedly the major exhibits in the mineralogical exhibition (large crystals of emerald, amethyst and tourmaline and a scolecite cluster). Acquisitions for the paleontological sub-collection have enriched the existing collection and the selected items will be used in the exhibition. The entomological sub-collection has been expanded with new species, through acquisitions of small butterfly collections (purchased with subsidies from the Ministry of Culture), beetles and rowan beetles.

Preventive protection and treatment of the collections

As part of preventive protection, stable climate is maintained in the depositories of the Natural History Museum and disinfection is carried out twice a year. From the grant of the Ministry of Culture, packaging materials were purchased for storing the collections. During the year, 15,695 items were prepared, 21,929 items were preserved and 31 items were restored. Restoration work was mainly focused on the preparation of exhibits for new exhibitions; some damaged or missing details had to be replaced, old paint had to be removed, and exhibits had to be cleaned carefully and then painted in the finest detail according to the latest available information.

Professional management of the collections

The Natural History Museum manages a total of 12 sub-collections, comprising, as of 31 December 2017, a total of 819,952 registered collection items. 231 new additions were recorded in 2017. According to the established schedule, the inventory of sub-collections in the first inventory cycle (larger sub-collections) were carried out; the inventory of the anthropological sub-collections was completed in 2017, and the inventory of smaller sub-collections of the second cycle have been started. A total of 62,272 items have been inventoried. According to internal guidelines, the general revision of mineral sub-collections has been launched.