On April 19 over 100 Santos employees and family members enjoyed an exclusive after-hours viewing of the spectacular Banks’ Florilegium exhibition currently on display in the Santos Museum of Economic Botany in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.
Banks' Florilegium: Illustrations from Cook’s First Voyage 1768 – 1771 is an exclusive exhibition of prints from Sir Joseph Banks’ specimens and Sydney Parkinson’s illustrations of Australian flora from Captain James Cook’s first voyage around the world between 1768 and 1771.
The Botanic Gardens of Adelaide recently acquired the exclusive collection of prints from an anonymous donor and they have not been seen in South Australia for over two decades.
The Santos group enjoyed a tour of the exhibition with the museum’s curator Tony Kanellos, Curator followed by refreshments in the magnificent Schomburgk Pavilion.
You can view Banks' Florilegium in the Santos Museum of Economic Botany at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens until 15 August 2012. The Museum is open daily 10am – 4pm and admission is free.
The Museum of Economic Botany, first opened in May 1881, has had a continuous life dedicated to the collection and interpretation of ‘useful’ plants. The curious collection shows us what use can be made from plants usually through the knowledge obtained from other cultures. By utilising the knowledge of indigenous and other cultures the museum showcases how integral plants are to our everyday lives, be it for food, medicine, shelter, clothing, music and art.
Thanks in part to a $2 million sponsorship from Santos, the museum has been completely refurbished and restored, preserving most of the original building features and display cases while adapting services to modern museum standards.
Santos also sponsors the ongoing exhibition program at the Santos Museum of Economic Botany, and the Botanic Gardens’ Seed Conservation Centre and Kitchen Gardens programs.
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Education/youth, Environment, New South Wales, South Australia