The Oates Collection

The Oates Collection exhibits focus on the lives and adventures of two members of the Oates Family, both pioneers and explorers of the natural world.

 

Captain Lawrence Oates (1880 – 1912) 
Captain Lawrence Oates is best remembered as the brave Antarctic hero who was chosen to be part of Captain Robert Scott’s team to undertake the epic journey of discovery to the South Pole 1911-12. The ill-fated expedition turned into a race for the pole when the explorers learnt of the presence of the Norwegian team led by Admundsen. Scott’s team suffered inadequate food supplies, severe weather conditions and failing health so Oates sacrificed his life in the hope of saving his comrades, leaving the tent in a terrible blizzard with the famous last words “I am just going outside and may be some time.” His body has never been found.

2012 marks the centenary of the Scott Antarctic Expedition and therefore the 100^th anniversary of the death of Captain Lawrence Oates. Thanks to a National Lottery ‘Your Heritage’ grant, match funding by the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust, generous donations and ongoing fundraising, we are currently working with gallery designers to redesign the Lawrence Oates Gallery.  The new permanent exhibition will be more engaging, interactive and informative and heighten awareness of the heroic age of polar exploration. It will be launched in March 2012 to coincide with the anniversary of Lawrence’s death.
PLEASE NOTE: Until the new galleries are completed, a temporary but fascinating exhibition dedicated to Captain Lawrence Oates is available for visitors to enjoy. It is packed with many original Antarctic artefacts and items belonging to Lawrence.

 

Lawrence Oates owned a yacht named the Saunterer which is still in use today. Please click here to find out more The Saunterer

Frank Oates (1840 – 1875), Lawrence’s uncle, was fascinated by natural history from an early age, particularly the study of wild birds.  He entered Christ Church College, Oxford, to read Natural Sciences in 1860, but because of  ill-health failed to complete his studies.   In 1871 he visited the Americas in an attempt to re-establish his health.  On display in the Frank Oates Gallery is a stunning display of Central American birds collected from his travels there.  The Gallery also details his fateful journey to Africa, begun in 1873, with displays of various artefacts and specimens he collected during his trek from Durban, through Natal, Transvaal and finally to Matebeleland and the Victoria Falls.