Eton College Collections facts for kids
The Eton College Collections are special groups of valuable items kept at Eton College in England. These collections include important books, old documents, and many interesting objects. They are like a treasure chest of history and science! The collections feature the College Library, College Archives, Eton College Natural History Museum, Eton College Antiquities Collection, and the Museum of Eton Life. You can also find hundreds of old photographs, beautiful paintings, drawings, and prints. Sometimes, items from these collections are even shown in exhibitions around the world.
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College Library
The College Library is a very old and special library at Eton College. It is found in the quiet cloisters area. This library is different from the school's main library. It holds many rare books and ancient manuscripts. These items are incredibly valuable for history and culture. For example, it has a Gutenberg Bible, which is one of the first books ever printed. It also has pages from Charles Darwin's famous book, Origin of Species. The library has a special room for researchers. It also helps students and teachers at Eton College. They often host changing exhibitions to show off their amazing items.
College Archives
The College Archives are like a giant scrapbook of Eton College's past. They keep many important documents about the school. These records go all the way back to when Eton College was founded. The archives also have lists of students who have attended Eton. For a long time, only the names of the King's Scholars were written down. These documents help us learn about the school's long history.
Fine & Decorative Art
Eton College also has a wonderful collection of fine and decorative art. This collection started almost as soon as the school did. Early on, beautiful wall paintings were created inside the Eton College Chapel. Two benches carved with the Tudor rose symbol were also made. These benches are still used today! The art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures. It also has ceramics, furniture, stained glass, and textiles. A special part of the collection is the oil portraits. Many of these are "Leaving Portraits" of students. Famous artists like Sir Joshua Reynolds and J. M. W. Turner painted some of these works. The collection has about 1,500 drawings and watercolours. They show many different subjects and were painted by well-known artists.
Eton College Natural History Museum
The Eton College Natural History Museum is a fascinating place. It is managed by Eton College itself. You can visit this museum for free during its opening hours. Inside, you will find thousands of stuffed animals, plants, fossils, and insects. It is located near the archway into the Queens Quad. This is right next to the Lower Chapel. The museum is usually open when students are at school during term-time. It's a great place to learn about the natural world!
Museum of Eton Life
The Museum of Eton Life tells the story of Eton College. It shows items and memories about the school's history and traditions. Eton College was founded way back in 1440. The museum has displays about famous people who went to Eton. It also shows what studies were like and what games they played. You can learn about the famous Eton Wall Game. The museum also shows old uniforms and other school customs. A former teacher named Peter Lawrence started this museum.
