Civilising nature: museums and the environment

Interpreting the natural environment in the cultural context of a museum is common practice in the early 21st century. It was also quite common in the 19th century. This chapter considers some of the key discourses in natural history and science museums to reveal a rich legacy of engagement with the environment. It begins with a review of a contemporary film that portrays the wonders of the museum at night when its history and politics come alive. Museum history demonstrates that, far from being a mausoleum, museums are crucial sites for environmental education and research. This paper argues that museums shape and reflect environmental attitudes. Using Australia’s oldest museum, the Australian Museum located in Sydney, the chapter demonstrates the complex connections between museum cultures of collection and display, and research and environmental issues.