Hellen Pethers
@ohreallyhells.bsky.social
Researcher Services Librarian
nhmlibraryarchives.bsky.social
🏛️ Natural History Museum, London.
❤️ paper, ephemera, pangolins, cats, genealogy, social media & serendipity!
Very proud Mum & Auntie. West Sussex.
MY VIEWS
Previously on Twitter @ohreallyhells
nhmlibraryarchives.bsky.social
🏛️ Natural History Museum, London.
❤️ paper, ephemera, pangolins, cats, genealogy, social media & serendipity!
Very proud Mum & Auntie. West Sussex.
MY VIEWS
Previously on Twitter @ohreallyhells
Really chuffed we have achieved this in a year (started mid Nov 2024).
It took us 10 years to achieve this on Twitter/X.
It took us 10 years to achieve this on Twitter/X.
December 4, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Really chuffed we have achieved this in a year (started mid Nov 2024).
It took us 10 years to achieve this on Twitter/X.
It took us 10 years to achieve this on Twitter/X.
Reposted by Hellen Pethers
Are you in love with the items featuring Abraham Gottlob Werner's 'Nomenclature of colours' (1814)? Then head over to our Digitised Special Collections to see the entire work.
⬆️ Use the link in our bio to explore this collection and many others.
#SciArt #NatureInArt #ZoologicalArt #BotanicalArt
⬆️ Use the link in our bio to explore this collection and many others.
#SciArt #NatureInArt #ZoologicalArt #BotanicalArt
December 1, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Are you in love with the items featuring Abraham Gottlob Werner's 'Nomenclature of colours' (1814)? Then head over to our Digitised Special Collections to see the entire work.
⬆️ Use the link in our bio to explore this collection and many others.
#SciArt #NatureInArt #ZoologicalArt #BotanicalArt
⬆️ Use the link in our bio to explore this collection and many others.
#SciArt #NatureInArt #ZoologicalArt #BotanicalArt
Reposted by Hellen Pethers
If you're looking for Christmas present ideas, there are plenty in the Museum shop -- including many which use the Library and Archives collections!
Lots of ideas for the nature lover, artist or book worm in your life.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Archives #Christmas #SpecialCollections #EntomologicalArt
Lots of ideas for the nature lover, artist or book worm in your life.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Archives #Christmas #SpecialCollections #EntomologicalArt
December 1, 2025 at 12:02 PM
If you're looking for Christmas present ideas, there are plenty in the Museum shop -- including many which use the Library and Archives collections!
Lots of ideas for the nature lover, artist or book worm in your life.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Archives #Christmas #SpecialCollections #EntomologicalArt
Lots of ideas for the nature lover, artist or book worm in your life.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Archives #Christmas #SpecialCollections #EntomologicalArt
Reposted by Hellen Pethers
We've put together a 25-day advent calendar showcasing Library and Archives collections. Enjoy! 1. 'Snowy Owls’, John James Audubon (publ. 1827-1838). Did you know... #adventcalendar #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum #BirdsInArt
Alt text: an advent calendar, with 2 white owls
Alt text: an advent calendar, with 2 white owls
December 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM
We've put together a 25-day advent calendar showcasing Library and Archives collections. Enjoy! 1. 'Snowy Owls’, John James Audubon (publ. 1827-1838). Did you know... #adventcalendar #Christmas #SpecialCollections #Art #NaturalHistoryMuseum #BirdsInArt
Alt text: an advent calendar, with 2 white owls
Alt text: an advent calendar, with 2 white owls
Reposted by Hellen Pethers
Can you help make our December?? 🎁🎄🎉
We are a smidgen away from 14,000 followers, please share and help us get there ready for the big HO HO HO!
#NaturalHistoryMusuem #Library #Archives #Art #SpecialCollections #MuseumArchives #MuseumLibrary #Nature #NaturalHistory #Books #Science
We are a smidgen away from 14,000 followers, please share and help us get there ready for the big HO HO HO!
#NaturalHistoryMusuem #Library #Archives #Art #SpecialCollections #MuseumArchives #MuseumLibrary #Nature #NaturalHistory #Books #Science
a blue background with the words happy december written on it
ALT: a blue background with the words happy december written on it
media.tenor.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Can you help make our December?? 🎁🎄🎉
We are a smidgen away from 14,000 followers, please share and help us get there ready for the big HO HO HO!
#NaturalHistoryMusuem #Library #Archives #Art #SpecialCollections #MuseumArchives #MuseumLibrary #Nature #NaturalHistory #Books #Science
We are a smidgen away from 14,000 followers, please share and help us get there ready for the big HO HO HO!
#NaturalHistoryMusuem #Library #Archives #Art #SpecialCollections #MuseumArchives #MuseumLibrary #Nature #NaturalHistory #Books #Science
Reposted by Hellen Pethers
"resigns before investigation concludes" is never the most encouraging of signs is it 👀
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
London zoo boss quits amid claims of ‘unacceptable workplace behaviour’
Exclusive: Matthew Gould, close friend of George Osborne and former envoy, resigns before investigation concludes
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:40 PM
"resigns before investigation concludes" is never the most encouraging of signs is it 👀
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Hellen Pethers
🔎Discovering the Okapi
🌍The Museum: creating advocates for the planet - the history of exhibitions and galleries at the NHM, and the way these have helped to develop a knowledge and appreciation of the natural world
🐋 Whales, Science and Conservation
🌱Ordering and Naming Nature
#Archives #Art
🌍The Museum: creating advocates for the planet - the history of exhibitions and galleries at the NHM, and the way these have helped to develop a knowledge and appreciation of the natural world
🐋 Whales, Science and Conservation
🌱Ordering and Naming Nature
#Archives #Art
November 27, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Reposted by Hellen Pethers
Visitors to the Museum will have the exciting opportunity to enter our beautiful Earth Sciences Library.
A rare occasion to see treasures from the collection and learn about the Museum’s work as shown through the collections we care for.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #SpecialCollections #MuseumArchives
A rare occasion to see treasures from the collection and learn about the Museum’s work as shown through the collections we care for.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #SpecialCollections #MuseumArchives
November 27, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Visitors to the Museum will have the exciting opportunity to enter our beautiful Earth Sciences Library.
A rare occasion to see treasures from the collection and learn about the Museum’s work as shown through the collections we care for.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #SpecialCollections #MuseumArchives
A rare occasion to see treasures from the collection and learn about the Museum’s work as shown through the collections we care for.
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #SpecialCollections #MuseumArchives
Yesterday, 11/11 in the post came a medal I saw a year ago on a dealers website. It’s not rare or special medal.
But it’s important to me - awarded posthumously to mum’s Grt Uncle, Jabez Buckley (1886-1915), we know little about and have no photo of, he stepped off a ship in Gallipoli and died.
But it’s important to me - awarded posthumously to mum’s Grt Uncle, Jabez Buckley (1886-1915), we know little about and have no photo of, he stepped off a ship in Gallipoli and died.
November 12, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Yesterday, 11/11 in the post came a medal I saw a year ago on a dealers website. It’s not rare or special medal.
But it’s important to me - awarded posthumously to mum’s Grt Uncle, Jabez Buckley (1886-1915), we know little about and have no photo of, he stepped off a ship in Gallipoli and died.
But it’s important to me - awarded posthumously to mum’s Grt Uncle, Jabez Buckley (1886-1915), we know little about and have no photo of, he stepped off a ship in Gallipoli and died.
A new Lady Mayor of the City of London was celebrated this weekend in all its grandeur. A look into our collections at Guildhall Library has revealed this beautiful & elaborate Victorian invitation to the event from 1882 (S PAM 851)
November 10, 2025 at 5:11 PM
@tomrosenthal.bsky.social thank you another completely moving, gripping and heart warming one 😍
Yesterday at a Remembrance parade I noticed a man with a long line of medals, shedding a tear. It is your influence that made me say hello & ask him to tell me about his medals & we chatted for 15mins x
Yesterday at a Remembrance parade I noticed a man with a long line of medals, shedding a tear. It is your influence that made me say hello & ask him to tell me about his medals & we chatted for 15mins x
November 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM
@tomrosenthal.bsky.social thank you another completely moving, gripping and heart warming one 😍
Yesterday at a Remembrance parade I noticed a man with a long line of medals, shedding a tear. It is your influence that made me say hello & ask him to tell me about his medals & we chatted for 15mins x
Yesterday at a Remembrance parade I noticed a man with a long line of medals, shedding a tear. It is your influence that made me say hello & ask him to tell me about his medals & we chatted for 15mins x
Museums allow family historians like me to feel close to their ancestors.
My 3x great grandfather Anthony Holland Sodar (1817-99) went from driving a stage coach, to mail cart to omnibus. With little info about him, the London Transport Museum allows me to sit in a real omnibus and feel connected.
My 3x great grandfather Anthony Holland Sodar (1817-99) went from driving a stage coach, to mail cart to omnibus. With little info about him, the London Transport Museum allows me to sit in a real omnibus and feel connected.
October 23, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Museums allow family historians like me to feel close to their ancestors.
My 3x great grandfather Anthony Holland Sodar (1817-99) went from driving a stage coach, to mail cart to omnibus. With little info about him, the London Transport Museum allows me to sit in a real omnibus and feel connected.
My 3x great grandfather Anthony Holland Sodar (1817-99) went from driving a stage coach, to mail cart to omnibus. With little info about him, the London Transport Museum allows me to sit in a real omnibus and feel connected.
When your pangolin wardrobe choice aligns with a reading room visitor requesting to see a volume of bound artwork, which includes a pangolin 😍
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #SpecialCollections #Artwork #TeamPangolin
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #SpecialCollections #Artwork #TeamPangolin
October 16, 2025 at 3:35 PM
When your pangolin wardrobe choice aligns with a reading room visitor requesting to see a volume of bound artwork, which includes a pangolin 😍
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #SpecialCollections #Artwork #TeamPangolin
#NaturalHistoryMuseum #SpecialCollections #Artwork #TeamPangolin
I’m not a huge Christmas decoration person, but Festive Dippy tugged on my heart strings 😍
October 14, 2025 at 7:58 PM
I’m not a huge Christmas decoration person, but Festive Dippy tugged on my heart strings 😍
Reposted by Hellen Pethers
Awful news from Wales, the St Fagan's Museum has been broken into and prehistoric goldwork has been taken. Its painful to think what objects might now be at risk. Thoughts with the museum team who must be devastated, all speed to the police and a curse on the crooks.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
St Fagans: Bronze Age gold jewellery stolen from musuem
Police are investigating a burglary at St Fagans museum in the early hours of Monday morning.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 6:24 AM
Awful news from Wales, the St Fagan's Museum has been broken into and prehistoric goldwork has been taken. Its painful to think what objects might now be at risk. Thoughts with the museum team who must be devastated, all speed to the police and a curse on the crooks.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I love the beauty, colour and texture of autumn 🍂 ❤️
Very lucky to have Nymans National Trust next door. #NymansNT @nationaltrust.org.uk
Very lucky to have Nymans National Trust next door. #NymansNT @nationaltrust.org.uk
October 7, 2025 at 6:55 AM
I love the beauty, colour and texture of autumn 🍂 ❤️
Very lucky to have Nymans National Trust next door. #NymansNT @nationaltrust.org.uk
Very lucky to have Nymans National Trust next door. #NymansNT @nationaltrust.org.uk
Reposted by Hellen Pethers
Library & Archives Open Day (free)
19 September 2025
When: 10.00 - 16.00
Where: Lasting Impressions Gallery (red zone)
Our team have developed four themed displays:
🐋 Whales, science and conservation
🌱 Ordering and naming nature
✏️ Writing from the field
❄️ Polar expeditions
#NaturalHistoryMuseum
19 September 2025
When: 10.00 - 16.00
Where: Lasting Impressions Gallery (red zone)
Our team have developed four themed displays:
🐋 Whales, science and conservation
🌱 Ordering and naming nature
✏️ Writing from the field
❄️ Polar expeditions
#NaturalHistoryMuseum
September 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Library & Archives Open Day (free)
19 September 2025
When: 10.00 - 16.00
Where: Lasting Impressions Gallery (red zone)
Our team have developed four themed displays:
🐋 Whales, science and conservation
🌱 Ordering and naming nature
✏️ Writing from the field
❄️ Polar expeditions
#NaturalHistoryMuseum
19 September 2025
When: 10.00 - 16.00
Where: Lasting Impressions Gallery (red zone)
Our team have developed four themed displays:
🐋 Whales, science and conservation
🌱 Ordering and naming nature
✏️ Writing from the field
❄️ Polar expeditions
#NaturalHistoryMuseum
Library & Archives Open Day (free)
19 September 2025
When: 10.00 - 16.00
Where: Lasting Impressions Gallery (red zone)
Our team have developed four themed displays:
🐋 Whales, science and conservation
🌱 Ordering and naming nature
✏️ Writing from the field
❄️ Polar expeditions
#NaturalHistoryMuseum
19 September 2025
When: 10.00 - 16.00
Where: Lasting Impressions Gallery (red zone)
Our team have developed four themed displays:
🐋 Whales, science and conservation
🌱 Ordering and naming nature
✏️ Writing from the field
❄️ Polar expeditions
#NaturalHistoryMuseum
September 12, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Library & Archives Open Day (free)
19 September 2025
When: 10.00 - 16.00
Where: Lasting Impressions Gallery (red zone)
Our team have developed four themed displays:
🐋 Whales, science and conservation
🌱 Ordering and naming nature
✏️ Writing from the field
❄️ Polar expeditions
#NaturalHistoryMuseum
19 September 2025
When: 10.00 - 16.00
Where: Lasting Impressions Gallery (red zone)
Our team have developed four themed displays:
🐋 Whales, science and conservation
🌱 Ordering and naming nature
✏️ Writing from the field
❄️ Polar expeditions
#NaturalHistoryMuseum
Well that was a fun evening watching David O’Doherty and Max Rushden recording their podcast ‘Who Did You Do Yesterday’. Special (return) guest Nish Kumar. One of my favourite podcasts 😍
A lot of laughter! Shared box for 3 strangers, we all had a fab time!
#WhatDidYouDoYesterday #HackneyEmpire
A lot of laughter! Shared box for 3 strangers, we all had a fab time!
#WhatDidYouDoYesterday #HackneyEmpire
September 11, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Well that was a fun evening watching David O’Doherty and Max Rushden recording their podcast ‘Who Did You Do Yesterday’. Special (return) guest Nish Kumar. One of my favourite podcasts 😍
A lot of laughter! Shared box for 3 strangers, we all had a fab time!
#WhatDidYouDoYesterday #HackneyEmpire
A lot of laughter! Shared box for 3 strangers, we all had a fab time!
#WhatDidYouDoYesterday #HackneyEmpire
Reposted by Hellen Pethers
Remember gang, it's the same rule for museum objects and artworks as it is for people: no touching without consent! 👍🏛️🍑 #MuseumBums
Gaston Lachaise' "Standing Woman", 1932, undergoing some conservation work at @moma.bsky.social 😁
Gaston Lachaise' "Standing Woman", 1932, undergoing some conservation work at @moma.bsky.social 😁
August 27, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Remember gang, it's the same rule for museum objects and artworks as it is for people: no touching without consent! 👍🏛️🍑 #MuseumBums
Gaston Lachaise' "Standing Woman", 1932, undergoing some conservation work at @moma.bsky.social 😁
Gaston Lachaise' "Standing Woman", 1932, undergoing some conservation work at @moma.bsky.social 😁
In the 50p charity bookstall - would
have been rude not to.
#WorldWarTwo #Gardening #BuySecondhand #Books
have been rude not to.
#WorldWarTwo #Gardening #BuySecondhand #Books
August 9, 2025 at 2:14 PM
In the 50p charity bookstall - would
have been rude not to.
#WorldWarTwo #Gardening #BuySecondhand #Books
have been rude not to.
#WorldWarTwo #Gardening #BuySecondhand #Books
Reposted by Hellen Pethers
Our South Kensington Museum, including our gardens, will be closed on 3 October 2025 as we are hosting a charity gala. 🦖
We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to welcoming you another time.
We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to welcoming you another time.
August 6, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Our South Kensington Museum, including our gardens, will be closed on 3 October 2025 as we are hosting a charity gala. 🦖
We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to welcoming you another time.
We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to welcoming you another time.
An old finger post where all the destinations are country pubs. (Singleton, Sussex)
The original local pub crawl guide!
The original local pub crawl guide!
August 5, 2025 at 9:05 PM
An old finger post where all the destinations are country pubs. (Singleton, Sussex)
The original local pub crawl guide!
The original local pub crawl guide!
Reposted by Hellen Pethers
It's #WorldEchidnaDay so here's a drawing by Joseph Wolf (1820-1899) of this extraordinary egg laying mammal. It was published by Richard Owen in the Philosophical Transactions (Pl.39, 1865). If you look closely, you can see a young baby in the pouch and a small outline sketch of it! buff.ly/8ErERyK
July 19, 2025 at 2:34 PM
It's #WorldEchidnaDay so here's a drawing by Joseph Wolf (1820-1899) of this extraordinary egg laying mammal. It was published by Richard Owen in the Philosophical Transactions (Pl.39, 1865). If you look closely, you can see a young baby in the pouch and a small outline sketch of it! buff.ly/8ErERyK
Reposted by Hellen Pethers
Some birthday facts and faces of Sir Richard Owen, founder of the Natural History Museum, London who was born #OTD in 1804. A very Happy Birthday to anyone else with a birthday today! #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Palaeontology
Alt text: Reel of portraits of Professor Richard Owen [has sound]
Alt text: Reel of portraits of Professor Richard Owen [has sound]
July 20, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Some birthday facts and faces of Sir Richard Owen, founder of the Natural History Museum, London who was born #OTD in 1804. A very Happy Birthday to anyone else with a birthday today! #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Palaeontology
Alt text: Reel of portraits of Professor Richard Owen [has sound]
Alt text: Reel of portraits of Professor Richard Owen [has sound]