News

Museum experts in Leeds are bristling with excitement after their resident hippo’s fabulous facial hair was studied during new research into the inner workings of whiskers.

Analysis recently carried out at the Leeds Discovery Centre saw curators comb through their vast collection of historic taxidermy, including century old stuffed hippo Billie, to explore exactly how the number and placement of their whiskers help animals sense the world around them.

Life below stairs at a historic Leeds mansion has been rediscovered thanks to a dazzling new display.

The Butler’s Pantry at Temple Newsam House has been carefully restored by experts, giving a fascinating insight into the stories of servants and staff whose tireless work behind the scenes kept the house going for hundreds of years.

A curator’s dedication to helping young people in care play their part in ground-breaking events and exhibitions in Leeds has seen her scoop a top national award.

Angie Thompson, Leeds Art Gallery’s youth engagement curator, is the driving force behind Leeds Museums and Galleries’ innovative Care Creatives programme, which first launched in 2021.

Pinnies, petticoats, booties and breaches are all on display as part of a new exhibition exploring the history of children’s fashion.

Looking at the changing styles from the 1600’s to the modern day, Fashion at Play: Children’s Clothing Through the Ages opens at Lotherton on March 1.

Leeds City Council has today welcomed confirmation of £15m in central government funding for two major cultural projects.

The names of inspirational women who made their mark on Leeds have been officially etched in history today.

In a landmark project, plaques honouring the names of six trailblazing women from the city’s past were unveiled in the prestigious council chamber of Leeds Civic Hall.

A crumb of bread entombed thousands of years ago alongside an ancient Egyptian’s mummified remains has been discovered amongst an astonishing collection of microscopic treasures in Leeds.

Believed to be up to 3,000 years old, records show the tiny morsel was originally unearthed in Thebes, the site of some of the most famous and spectacular archaeological finds of the last century.

Collected and preserved by an unknown Victorian microscopist, it has since been stored as part of a collection of previously uncatalogued slides, which have only recently begun to be documented at the Leeds Discovery Centre.

One of the world’s most beloved bunnies has hopped into Leeds City Museum this week, inviting visitors to celebrate a very special birthday.

From Friday (Feb 7) museum-goers can step inside the world of international phenomenon Miffy, the adorable rabbit created by Dutch artist and illustrator Dick Bruna, as the iconic character marks her 70^th anniversary with a new exhibition.

Hundreds of thousands of antique plants and flowers carefully preserved for centuries will be given new life thanks to a fascinating environmental history project in Leeds.

The city’s vast collection of precious herbarium sheets was collected by botanists and horticulturalists over the past 200 years, with many of the fragile plants gathered in parks and grassland in east Leeds.

Stored at the Leeds Discovery Centre, the plants are now set to be studied by people living and working in the same area where they once grew, connecting their communities and ecosystems through time.

A pedal-powered prototype designed by a Leeds inventor to take on the toughest terrain has been put through its paces at a Leeds museum.

The hulking Fen Easy Rider bicycle was made in the late 1970s to tackle the rugged roads bordering parts of the British countryside, and gives a remarkable insight into the fascinating story of Leeds pioneer Henry Brown, who recently died at the age of 102.

Cherished childhood stories are being retold to visitors thanks to a nostalgic new exhibition in Leeds.

The Story Time exhibition at Abbey House Museum features a huge variety of historic books and games, each exploring the magical world of children’s stories.

Music lovers have today been given their first look at the city’s new 21^st century music centre at Leeds Central Library.

Set to be a hit with the city’s budding recording artists, musicians and podcasters, the project has seen the building’s historic music library transformed into a dynamic new space, complete with specially created walk-in recording studios, pianos and podcasting facilities.