Led by our Collections team, we offer a number of opportunities to learn more about and see highlights of the Society’s unique Collections.

Coming up:

• Showcase: The search for a Northwest Passage - 5, 7 & 12 October
• Lecture-related display: Deserts - 18 October
• Workshop: How to use the Foyle Reading Room - 14, 19 & 21 October
• Be Inspired: The making of a hero: Captain Cook’s last voyage, by Professor Glyn Williams - 25 October
• Showcase: Maps of the explorers - 26, 28 October & 2 November
• Lecture-related display: The Great Rift Valley  - 8 November
• Workshop: How to use the Foyle Reading Room - 4, 9 & 11 November
• Be Inspired: Immensity: motoring in the Western Desert, 1916-1941, by Professor Andrew Goudie - 22 November
• Showcase: 1 Kensington Gore, Part 2 - 16, 18 & 23 November
• Be Inspired: Tea and the British, by Roy Moxham  - 6 December
• Lecture-related display: Afghanistan - 13 December

Showcases & workshops

"Thrilled to experience the most professional and in-depth presentation."

"Lovely to handle the original documents. Opens up a whole new dimension... a chance to interact and learn from documents and primary sources."

When: All events begin at 14.30. Meet at the Exhibition Road reception. Booking essential, as places are limited. Book early to avoid disappointment. Refreshments provided.

Tickets: Free to members and educational users, non-members £5 payable in advance. 

To book a place:
  Telephone +44 (0)20 7591 3044 or   email showcase@rgs.org

The search for a Northwest Passage

· Tuesdays 5 October, 12 October
· Thursday 7 October

The search for a Northwest Passage was one of the great geographical enterprises of the 19th century, encompassing both triumph and tragedy. Follow the expeditions of Ross, Parry, Franklin and Amundsen striving to make the first transit of this ice-choked region.

How to use the Foyle Reading Room workshop

· Tuesday 19 October
· Thursdays 14 October, 21 October

An excellent hands-on introduction to the Foyle Reading Room, showing users how to get the best out of the Society’s Collections.

Maps of the explorers

· Tuesdays 26 October, 2 November
· Thursday 28 October

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, explorers ventured into interior of South America, Africa and Asia. Producing sketch maps as they went, they helped fill in the blanks on the map; see original manuscript maps by Schomburgk, Livingstone, Bell, Fawcett and others.

How to use the Foyle Reading Room workshop

· Tuesday 9 November
· Thursdays 4 November, 11 November

An excellent hands-on introduction to the Foyle Reading Room, showing users how to get the best out of the Society’s Collections.

1 Kensington Gore, Part 2

· Tuesday 16 November, 23 November
· Thursday 18 November
 
Continuation of the history of 1 Kensington Gore, from the Society’s acquisition of the house in 1912, illustrated with enlightening and rarely seen items from the Collections. (Attendees of Part 1 please book early to avoid disappointment).

New for the Autumn: Lecture-related Collections displays in the Foyle Reading Room

• Deserts -  Monday 18 October
• The Great Rift Valley - Monday 8 November
• Afghanistan - Monday 13 December

· 17.30 - 21.00
· Foyle Reading Room
· Open to RGS-IBG members (and their lecture evening guests)

Pre- or post- Monday night lecture, why not visit the Foyle Reading Room to see a lecture-themed Collections display.

Tickets: free to RGS-IBG members and educational users. Non-members: £5, payable in advance.

To book a place:
  Telephone +44 (0)20 7591 3044 or   email showcase@rgs.org

The making of a hero: Captain Cook’s last voyage
Professor Glyn Williams

· Monday 25 October from 14.30-16.00

Immensity: motoring in the Western Desert, 1916-1941
Professor Andrew Goudie

· Monday 22 November from 14.30-16.00

Tea and the British
Roy Moxham

· Monday 6 December from 14.30-16.00