Topsham Museum
25 The Strand
Topsham, Exeter
Devon
EX3 0AX
England
Website
Telephone
01392 873244
Topsham Museum is housed in one of a group of late 17th century buildings overlooking the Exe Estuary. Following completion of a stunning new River gallery, the Museum was 'long-listed' for the Art Fund Prize in 2008.
Part of the Museum's focus is on Topsham's maritime history - one particular showpiece is the River Gallery, completed in 2007, featuring unique historic river craft. Visitors can also enjoy the furnished period rooms of the original house and the Sail Loft with its historical timeline of the town's general history. Other interesting exhibits include wildlife of the Exe Estuary, local trades and organisations and memorabilia of the film star Vivien Leigh.
Topsham's position as a sheltered harbour enabled it to thrive as a port, a centre for fishing and shipbuilding. In a largely forgotten period the Exe was thronged with sailing vessels and its shipyards were major employers in the town and the trade at its height rivalled that of London.
The Museum incorporates pleasant gardens and a tearoom.
Venue Type:
Museum
Collection details
Archaeology, Archives, Natural Sciences, Costume and Textiles, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Personalities, Social History, Land Transport, Maritime
Topsham Families Exhibition
The Museum holds over 80 family trees kindly donated by members, visitors and local residents and the first exhibition of the 2013 season will explore some of the many families with Topsham connections, show archive photographs and memories of their lives., We are also offering a seminar for those wishing to begin researching their family history and also some help sessions for more experienced researchers:, 'Family History - how do I start?', Mike Mayo (DFHS), a seminar at the museum on Tuesday 16th April, 1700 for 1730. £7.50 pp including tea and cake, Individual help sessions with Mike Mayo for family historians who have 'hit a brick wall'! By appointment only. Wednesday 24th April, 1300-1830 & Wednesday 1st May, 1030-1600. £5 per session including refreshments, Topsham Cemetery Walks: with Mike Patrick. 7th & 14th May. Places must be booked in advance as numbers are limited. £2 donation p.p., All events must be booked in advance. Priority will be given to Museum Members. Booking forms can be downloaded from the website - just click on Our Downloads or collect a form from Topsham Library., Online genealogical research facilities will be available to Museum Members this season (again, by appointment only)., Bookmark this webpage to check for regular updates!,
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
No
A Sailmaker and his Art
Sailmaking was a traditional craft in Topsham, with many houses having sail lofts. Did you know that the remaining sailmaker in Topsham (Chris Scanes) is also an artist?, We will show his paintings and local photographer Ken Barratt has recorded the cutting and making of the sails.,
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
No
Vivien Leigh a Century of Fame
A celebration of the life of this iconic actress and in particular her connections to Topsham and the Museum (25 Strand) which was owned by her aunt, Miss Holman. Topsham Museum's own collection will be enhanced by loans from Vivien Leigh's family, as well as items from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and the Bill Douglas Centre. On 25th October, a Vivien Leigh film will be shown in Matthews Hall, in conjunction with the Topsham Film Society. More details available soon!,
Vivien Leigh a Century of Fame
A celebration of the life of this iconic actress and in particular her connections to Topsham., Topsham Museum's own collection will be enhanced by loans from Vivien Leigh's family as well as items from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and the Bill Douglas Centre., On 25th October, a Vivien Leigh film will be shown in Matthews Hall, in partnership with the Topsham Film Society. More details available soon!,
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
No
Lunchtime Lectures
Wednesday 24th APRIL , TOPSHAMS FIRST MUSEUM, How Ross brought the world to Topsham , by TONY ECCLES, Curator of Ethnography, RAMM, , Wednesday 39th MAY , WHO SANK THE MARY ROSE?, by DR PETER MARSDEN, Archaelogist, Historian & Author, , Wednesday 26th JUNE , MUD GLORIOUS MUD, The treasure of the Exe Estuary, by DR TEGWYN HARRIS, Marine Biologist, , Wednesday 31st JULY , A TANGLED WEB, A tale of bigamy in the 1920s, by JILL DRYSDALE, Local Historian, NO LUNCHTIME LECTURE IN AUGUST, , Wednesday 25th SEPTEMBER , Art & the Pebblebeds Archaeological Project , by JILL COBLEY, Archaeologist , , Wednesday 30th OCTOBER, Devon Ghosts, a tour of Devon's most haunted places, by ROBERT HESKETH, Writer, photographer and local historian,
Suitable for
- 18+
Admission
No
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