History of the Society

The Society’s roots

Based in Dudley in England’s West Midlands, the Black Country Geological Society (BCGS) is at the heart of the Black Country, where evidence suggests the world-changing Industrial Revolution commenced. The society as it is now, was formed in 1975 but was preceded by three antecedent geological societies through which we can trace our origins to 1842, making the BCGS one of the first geological societies in the world. This gives us a vast and exciting history with connections to some of the greatest geologists of their time such as, Sir Roderick Impey Murchison and Professor Charles Lapworth.

A brief history of the society is listed below:

1842 – 1867. The Dudley and Midland Geological Society. A combination of local geological interest, mining and quarrying led to the founding of the earliest geological society in the Midlands. The Society started a local fossil collection encouraged by Sir Roderick Murchison who realised the importance of Dudley and the local rocks.

1880s – 1912. The Society was reborn as the Dudley and Midland Geological and Scientific Society and Field Club, but later fell into decline as mining and extraction industries declined.

A field trip of the Dudley Geological Society with Professor Lapworth c. 1885.

1956 – The world’s first geological reserve was founded at Wrens Nest and the local Council was encouraged to establish a permanent geological exhibition at Dudley Museum and Art Gallery.

1975 – The Black Country Geological Society was formed by a group studying geology in extra-mural classes. The Society set out to raise the profile of geological awareness in the West Midlands and to document and conserve local geological sites.

BCGS first field trip to Clent,
(see Newsletter 001, p.2. 1975 for visit report)

Since 1975 the Society has maintained a strong active membership. Our members come from all backgrounds and include interested amateurs, professional geologists, teachers, and students of all ages. We hold regular meetings to listen to invited lecturers, arrange field trips to sites of geologic interest and work on the geoconservation of local geological sites.