An exhibition about the life and work of Shrewsbury’s most famous son was unveiled in the town today.

Charles Darwin: The Beginning of a Continuing Journey opened at Rowley’s House, Barker Street, Shrewsbury.

It is the first exhibition to be shown at the historic building since its closure as a museum last year.

The top floor of the building houses the Darwin Gallery and is dedicated to the Darwin family in Shropshire.

It also highlights the work of other 19th century natural historians in the county.

The ground floor has been transformed into a Shrewsbury room, staffed by two volunteer young graduate curators.

And staff today welcomed a special guest as American professor Bill Durham paid a visit to the county.

Professor Durham, from the Stanford University in California, visited Rowley’s House as part of a project to retrace the steps of Charles Darwin in the town. 

Professor Durham is a professor of anthropological sciences with his main research interests involving ecology and evolution.

The exhibition in the historic building, which also now houses the Shrewsbury Tourist Information Centre, will be officially launched at a ceremony on Friday night, but members of the public are welcome to go along and view it from today.

• A top American scientist and co-founder of the renowned “Discovery Institute” is the keynote speaker at a major conference in Shrewsbury to mark Charles Darwin’s bi-centenary.
  Stephen Meyer, of Seattle, formed the intelligent design movement along with Phillip Johnson and other influential figures.
  He will be coming to Shropshire, the birthplace of Darwin, for the “Honest to Darwin” conference at Shrewsbury Town Football Club’s Prostar Stadium between February 23 and 28.