About The Society
Perthshire Society of Natural Science:
The main aim of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science is to encourage,
foster and further interest in a wide range of natural history subjects.
Founded in 1867 at a period of growth in scientific studies the Society
flourished. Lectures were organized for members and in the early decades
there was an immense enthusiasm for collecting specimens of local flora
and fauna, birds and insects.
At first the Society held its meetings in the Glover’s Hall in George Street and in 1869 a room was secured at Kirkside as a store for the collections. Dr. Francis Buchanan White, first President of the Society, saw as one of its major objectives the erection of a museum to house these collections. In 1883 the Society was able financially to erect, at 66 South Tay Street, a purpose-planned building which included a Library Room and a Museum Hall.
Moncreiffe Memorial Natural History Museum, Perth
Named in honour of Sir Thomas Moncreiffe, President of the Society from 1874 until his death in 1879, the Moncreiffe Memorial Museum was administered voluntarily by members of the Society. Twelve years after its opening the Museum Hall was extended by the Society to create more display space.
Display cases in the Natural History Museum, Perth
In 1903 the Society gifted its building in South Tay Street and its Museum therein to Perth Town Council who, from then on, administered the Museum. The herbarium, local collections and exhibits of the Museum were moved to the extended Perth Museum and Art Gallery in 1935.
Interior of Natural History Museum, Perth
Over the decades the Society increased opportunities for members with more specific interests and there are now, within the Parent Body, four Sections - an Archaeological and Historical Section, a Botanical Section, an Ornithological Section and Perthshire Photographic Society (PSNS Photographic Section).
Talks are held fortnightly on Fridays by the Parent Body and monthly on Wednesdays by the Sections from October to March and cover all aspects of natural history including new issues of conservation, global warming and land use and management. During summer months day and evening outings are arranged.
Removal vans taking exhibits of the Natural History Museum to the new Museum and Art Gallery, Perth in 1935.
Dr. Francis Buchanan White, first President of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science and a founder member.
Images provided: "Courtesy of Perth Museum and Art Gallery, Perth and Kinross Council, Scotland."