Ipswich Museums awarded Designated status by Arts Council England for high quality Post-Cretaceous Geology Collection

Ipswich Museums have been officially awarded Designated status by the Arts Council England after being recognised for the high quality geology collection.

The Post-Cretaceous collection, which includes the remains of a woolly mammoth and woolly rhino, is known as the best geological record of the ice age in the country.

Professor Adrian M. Lister, research leader at the Natural History Museum in London, said: “The geology collections at Ipswich Museums contain critical material for the British ice age (Plio-Pleistocene) sequence, not found anywhere else.”

Arts Council England’s Designation scheme identifies the pre-eminent collections of national importance held in England’s non-national museums, libraries and archives, based on their quality and significance.

Councillor Carole Jones, Portfolio Holder at Ipswich Borough Council, said: “We are thrilled to hear that Ipswich Museums Post-Cretaceous Geology collection is being recognised with such an accolade.

"It’s wonderful that we have such a high-quality collection of Ice Age geology, and I’m very grateful to our highly skilled staff for all the work they have done to gain this designation.

"Ipswich can be proud to have a collection of national importance."

Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, added: “We are delighted to award this prestigious accolade to Ipswich Museums.

"Their Post-Cretaceous Geology Collection offers a fascinating and important insight into the history of the nation.”