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After the various specimens had been moved into new museums, the "Old Ashmolean" building on Broad Street was used as office space for the Oxford English Dictionary staff. Since 1935 the building has been established as the Museum of the History of Science , with exhibitions including the scientific instruments given to Oxford University by Lewis Evans (1853-1930), amongst them the world's largest collection of astrolabes.
The present building dates from 1845Events January 29 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe is published for the first time New York Evening Mirror . March 1 President John Tyler signs a bill authorizing the United States to annex the Republic of Texas. March 3 Florida is admitted as the 27th U.. It was designed by Charles Cockerell in a ClassicalThe word classical has several meanings: Pertaining to the societies of the classical antiquity, ancient Greece or Rome. For example, the Greek and Latin languages, classical architecture and the cult of the Olympian gods. See also Greek mythology and Rom style and stands in Beaumont Street. One wing of the building is occupied by the Taylor InstitutionThe Taylor Institution is Oxford University's centre for the study of modern European languages and literatures. It was established in 1845 having largely been funded by a bequest from the estate of notable English architect Sir Robert Taylor (1714-1788)., the modern languages faculty of the university. The main museum contains the original collections of Elias Ashmole and John Tradescant (father and son), as well as huge collections of archaeologyArchaeology or archeology ( American English) is the study of human cultures through the recovery, documentation and analysis of material remains, including architecture, artefacts, biofacts, human remains, and landscapes. The goal of archaeology is to sh specimens and fine art. It has one of the best collections of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, maiolica pottery and English silver. The archaeology department includes the bequest of Arthur EvansFor Arthur Evans, the recipient of the Victoria Cross, see Arthur Evans (VC Sir Arthur John Evans ( July 8, 1851 July 11, 1941), brought into the light of day the civilization he dubbed "Minoan," which had been a dim mythic memory. He was the son of Sir J and so has an excellent collection of Greek and Minoan pottery.
The interior of the Ashmolean has been extensively modernised in recent years and now includes a restaurant and large gift shop. The Sackler Library , incorporating the older library collections of the Ashmolean, opened in 20012001 is a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar), and also: The International Year of the Volunteer The United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations Events January January 1 A black monolith measuring approximately nine feet tall ap and has allowed an expansion of the book collection, which concentrates on classical civilization, archaeology and art history.
Highlights of the collection include:
On New Years Eve 1999 thieves used scaffolding on an adjoining building to climb onto the roof of the Ashmolean and broke through a skylight steaing a painting by Cezanne. As the thieves ignored other works in the same room and it has not been offered for sale it is most likely that this was a case of an artwork stolen to order .