JOHN RAY 400
John Ray 400 is a year long programme to celebrate the 400 anniversary of the birth and achievements of John Ray (1627-1705), the naturalist from Black Notley who transformed Medieval book-based learning of the natural world to systematic, scientific biological science. Information on how to book each event will be released in Autumn 2026.
January
Saturday 16th
Exhibition Opening:
John Ray 400: The Naturalist from Black Notley
February
Thursday 25th
Online Talk:
John Ray 400: The Naturalist from Black Notley
March
Saturday 13th
Behind the Scenes Tour:
Flora & Fauna
March
Online Talk:
Discovering Wise Folk in 17 Century Braintree
April
May
May
Walk in John Ray’s World with Man About Country
May Half Term
Nature Fair
June
Friday 4th & Saturday 5th
Behind the Scenes Tours:
Flora & Fauna
Saturday 26th
Town Tour:
John Ray’s Braintree
Sunday 27th
Unveiling of John Ray Window
July
Saturday 3rd
Exhibition Closing:
John Ray 400: The Naturalist from Black Notley
August
September
Saturday 11th & Saturday 18th
Heritage Open Days
October
October
Walk in John Ray’s World with Man About Country
Saturday 9th
Town Tour:
John Ray’s Braintree
November
Thursday 4th
Online Talk:
John Ray and E A Bowles
Thursday 11th
Online Talk:
Samuel Dale
Thursday 18th
Online Talk:
John Ray 400: The Naturalist from Black Notley
Saturday 20th
Symposium: John Ray at 400:
A Naturalist’s Legacy
Thursday 25th
Online Talk:
Plants During the History of the Early Royal Society
Monday 29th & Tuesday 30th
Conferences:
Awe, Wonder and Scientific Discovery from John Ray to Today
December
Saturday 11th
John Ray Christmas Wreath Making
