Pitt Rivers Museum
Free Oxford museum of world archaeology and anthropology with about 600,000 objects in crowded Victorian cases, entered through the Natural History Museum.
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Over het museum
The Pitt Rivers Museum was founded in 1884, when General Augustus Pitt-Rivers gave his private collection of archaeological and ethnographic objects to the University of Oxford. He attached conditions to the gift: a lecturer in anthropology had to be appointed, and a building had to be provided to house the collection. The University commissioned Thomas Manly Deane to design the museum, which was built behind the Oxford University Museum of Natural History between 1885 and 1886.
The original gift of about 22,000 objects has grown to more than 600,000 items, most of them donated by travellers, scholars, colonial officials and missionaries. Many are displayed by type rather than by age or origin, so that visitors can compare, for example, many kinds of tools or musical instruments from different cultures. This arrangement follows the founder's ideas and is protected by the deed of gift. The totem pole that rises through the main court was bought from the Haida community of Masset in British Columbia and arrived in Oxford in 1901.
From 2008 to 2009 the museum was closed for a second phase of building work, which restored the original view through the galleries and added a new entrance platform with better access. Staff teach and research in archaeology and anthropology at the University, and in recent years the museum has been reviewing how its collections were acquired and displayed, including returns of objects to the communities they came from.
Hoogtepunten
- Haida totem pole, which rises through the main court
- Case after case of objects arranged by type rather than by origin
- Family trails and craft activities for children
- Collections of about 600,000 objects from around the world
- Relaxed morning sessions for families with autistic members
Vaste collectie
- Permanent galleries – The main court displays objects from many cultures in Victorian cases, arranged by type, such as musical instruments, weapons and textiles, around a Haida totem pole.
- Opgericht
- 1884
- Beheerder
- University of Oxford
Toegangsprijzen & kortingen
De toegang is gratis.
| Groepen (vanaf 11 pers.) | –Groups of more than ten people must book in advance. A £3 administration fee per person applies to groups, but schools and higher and further education groups may be exempt. |
|---|
Entry is free; the museum invites donations and offers paid membership.
Toegankelijkheid
- Rolstoeltoegankelijk
- Lift
- Aangepast toilet
- Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
- Hulphonden welkom
- Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
- Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
- Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
- Audiodescriptie: geen informatie
A platform lift at the main entrance, reached from the Museum of Natural History, serves wheelchair and pushchair users, and there is also level access through the South Entrance on Robinson Close. A lift serves all floors. All seven toilets on the ground floor are unisex; one is fully adapted and another has extra mobility supports. Induction loops are at the Welcome Desk and the South Door reception, and infrared hearing systems are in the shop and lecture room. One accessible parking space near the South Entrance must be booked in advance by phone. Assistance animals are welcome. Relaxed morning sessions for families with autistic members are held at set dates.
Kinderen & gezin
Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen
- Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
- Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
- Kinderwagenvriendelijk
- Verschoonruimte
The museum is family friendly, with trails to pick up at the information desk (many suit under-fives), craft templates, regular family events and relaxed sessions. Breastfeeding is welcome and there is a baby change facility on the ground floor. Pushchairs can use the platform lift. Visitors may picnic on the lawn outside, but not in the galleries.
Bereikbaarheid & parkeren
Met het openbaar vervoer
South Parks Road bus stop
Oxford railway station is just under a mile from the museum, about a 20-minute walk. Nearby bus stops are on South Parks Road, on Banbury Road near the Keble Road junction, and on Magdalen Street. The Oxford Tube coach runs between London and Oxford.
Met de auto
There is no public car park. One accessible space near the South Entrance on Robinson Close, off South Parks Road, can be booked by phone on a first come, first served basis.
- Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
Oxford has traffic filters, so visitors by car are encouraged to use Park and Ride. The centre of Oxford (Carfax Tower) is about a 15-minute walk, at 0.6 miles. Bike racks are on the corner of South Parks Road and Parks Road.
Route plannenService & horeca
- Café
- Museumwinkel
The Horsebox Coffee Company stands on the lawn outside and is open daily from 08:30 to 17:00. Food and drink are not allowed in the galleries. The neighbouring Museum of Natural History also has a café. There is a museum shop.
Evenementen & zaalverhuur
- Ruimtes te huur
- Privéfeesten
- Zakelijke evenementen
Tot 180 personen.
Five meeting spaces hold up to 180 guests for receptions, dinners, lectures and meetings. Room hire starts at £60 per hour and hire of the whole museum at £600 per hour.
Aanvragen & detailsJe bezoek plannen
| Aanbod voor scholen | ja |
|---|---|
| Fotograferen | Photography for personal use is welcome; tripods are not allowed without written permission. |
| Goed om te weten | Group visits must be booked. Art materials are allowed for sketching, subject to a list of permitted materials. Bike storage for folding bicycles is not available inside. |
