The Kirwin Collection: Legacy of an Exploration Geologist

Enter the visually stunning world of the Kirwin Collection; with over 21,000 specimens – that’s 10 tonnes! – it truly is a rock collection of epic proportions. Amassed over the past 40 years by exploratory geologist Douglas Kirwin, the collection is made up of minerals and ores from around the world, with a special focus on the Asia-Pacific region. This extraordinary addition to the Museum’s Earth Sciences collections makes the ROM home to a distinguished and important geological collection.

Geology is the science of the Earth, and furthers our understanding of our home. By studying the rocks and minerals our planet is made of, we can understand how it formed, how it functions, and what its future may be. With the Kirwin Collection elevating the ROM to a destination for international geological research and training, essential questions about our home can be explored right here at the Museum!