Discover Sir Joseph Banks

Click below to enter the world of the Georgians and Sir Joseph Banks. Learn about his childhood, adventures, and eventual significance.

Become a member

Our Patron Sir David Attenborough described Sir Joseph Banks as that Great Panjandrum of British Science. Click below to join our growing Society

Explore our collections

Our extensive botany and insect collections can be found at the click of a button. Also check out our art collections, and the amazing George Edward Lodge.

Volunteer with us

The Joseph Banks Centre offers lots of opportunities for people who wish to volunteer small amounts of time. Our volunteers are important to us and we try to match people’s skills or interests to the tasks that we need doing. For many of our volunteers their work with us has led to other opportunities and in some cases full paid work

October only – The Polar Expedition 1773 & Richard Hill Abolishionist & Naturalist
1795-1872

The discovery of a new letter written by Joseph Banks in October 1773, which has never been seen in the public domain before, has thrown new light on one of the most famous voyages which took place in that period

Richard Hill was born in Jamaica, the son of a merchant from Lincolnshire. As a person of colour, his treatment in Jamaica was harsh, so his father sent him to Horncastle Grammar School. Upon his return to Jamaica, he gained fame as both an abolitionist and a Naturalist.................... BLACK HISTORY MONTH EXHIBITION

Museum Opening Times
Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm