At a meeting held at Shrewsbury on the 26th of June, 1835, it was
resolved to establish a Natural History Society for the county of Salop
and North Wales, and to found a central museum and scientific library.
In order to secure the perpetuity of the institution, and to guard
against the possible dispersion of the museum at any future period, the
property of the society is vested in the lords lieutenant of the county
of Salop, and of the several counties of North Wales, as trustees, for
the permanent use and benefit of the district at large.
The museum is principally designed to illustrate the Natural History of
the district, in its various branches of geology, mineralogy, zoology,
and botany, by the gradual formation of complete and systematic
arrangements of its productions, in each of these departments. It is
also open to other objects of scientific interest, and in particular is a
suitable repository for such remains of antiquity as are found within the
district, or illustrate its general history. But, in addition to these
more local objects, the museum will, it is anticipated, through the
liberality of the friends of science in various quarters, be enriched
with many specimens from distant places.
The library consists of Books illustrative of Natural History and
Antiquities, and such works of reference as the funds of the society may
admit of being purchased, for the illustration of the objects in the
museum. The library, as well as the museum, is open to donations from
the members and friends of the institution.
The society’s affairs are under the management of a council, consisting
of a president and other officers, elected annually.
A house situated in Dogpole is at present the temporary repository for
the collections of the Museum, &c.