The Academy of Taxidermy — Attraction in Guildford

I paid my money ($5) and went in. I asked if I could put my bag anywhere whilst I looked around. The female attendant said no, this was a public area and I could leave it in the children's area if I wanted, but it might not be safe. She then went behind the counter, and didn't offer to put the bag back there which I thought was rather unprofessional and rude. I was then given a disturbing, nasty, fixated look by a tall, emaciated man. I thought he was a vagrant who had come in off the street - honestly. Later, I saw a video and realized that that was the taxidermist. In the first few minutes, having entered, I felt uncomfortable - Not because of the exhibits, but the people who were running it. I realize now that, of course, there is a certain amount of butchery involved in the taxidermic process, so you can't expect to be dealing the doyens of polite society if the taxidermists run the shop. You get the sense that having to supervise people is something of a chore for these people. I must say there is a broad range of species represented here, and in many cases, mountings superior to what you will find at the Museum of Western Australia. Some nice pieces in the collection include the rabbits and hares (though they are not an extremely difficult mount), and the large puma (?) towards the back (I had observed a similar one at the World Taxidermy Championships in Reno, USA, about seven years ago, and this one was just under par of the world standard exhibit at Reno - and that is high praise.). There are very average pieces, with the usual pallor of colour and contour that invokes more the impression of an animal in Hades than a living creature. I don't know if the pieces need cleaning, or if their initial preparation was incommensurate to their current age. Some of the touch-up brushwork looked as if it had been slapped on by Van Gogh, not with the necessary subtlety to pull-off the en vie illusion. In, or near (I couldn't quite figure out the delineation), the children’s area - towards the front - there is a video on loop. It shows the taxidermist being interviewed by such upmarket media representatives of taxidermic art as Today Tonight. There is also an interview with the taxidermist's mother etc. - which I thought was rather self-important of the taxidermist - considering that most people visiting were simply interested in the exhibits. The taxidermist was marginal and it seemed like a superfluous egoistism. For someone accustomed to exhibits at major museums, the Museum of Natural History is something of a step down in terms of the fixtures. There are drawers with no handles, no contents, no capacity to even be opened, and frequently contents tossed in with no order at all. There's more than a few pins lose in this museum. But this space is about larger animal mounts, not small scorpions, or mere insects. As a space it is like a state run museum crossed with an RSL hall crossed with a grandmother's bedroom - it just has that distinctive aged smell. Is it worth going? I'd say yes. If you are interested in collecting or producing taxidermy. It touts itself as a great venue for parties, but I fail to see that the ambience or space could be conducive to a good time had by all. I would not go back for a second visit, but I am glad - purely based on the quality of many of the exhibits - that I went...

Everyone please do yourselves a favour and visit this museum! It is absolutely incredible. So much to see and it is a very extensive collection - you can see how much love, care, passion, and attention to detail has gone into everything. I haven’t been here since I was in primary school - it’s grown and changed a lot!

Super reasonably priced at $3 for children and $6 for adults, it is well worth the visit.

Adults or couples - if you are worried about this place being overrun by kids, we came during a weekday in the school holidays and it wasn’t super busy with children at all - so don’t let that put you off :)

I especially loved the foxes - very cute, and the photos of Michael in his younger years.

With such a reasonable entry price, we put some extra cash into the donation bowl to keep this wonderful place going, and we will definitely be back.

Thank you so much for sharing your amazing collection with us. It was the perfect way to spend time on...

We actually tried to visit on a Monday and had a peak through the blinds (closed on Monday) and so came back Tuesday. The building itself is interesting being the old cinema. We met the taxidermists who is by far one of the best I've ever seen. I took my dad here as he has an interest in taxidermy and I still love dinosaurs so it was a win win. It could easily be in a huuuuge museum with he amount of items that are there. Walk around twice as we saw so much more the second time. Look under tables and above and in all the boxes. Also watch the tv while you are there they have an old news article on repeat but it's an interesting watch. Kids would love it too but must not touch. Guildford is worth a trip and make sure and look at all the antiques shops on the way. Parking at Guildford station $2 all day. Or get the train here there are some great spots for lunch breakfast and a few...