News & Events
Illuminating Darwin – Arabella’s Light
Last year American historical fiction author Jill George contacted Tavistock Museum to advise us of her forthcoming visit to undertake research in Tavistock. Arabella Burton Buckley, the heroine of her new novel, “Illuminating Darwin – Arabella’s Light”, lived close to the town from 1893-1895 at Walreddon Manor.
Turtle Returns To Tavistock
The museum has added the ‘Tavistock Turtle’ made by the Tuscan Pottery to its collection of crested-ware porcelain china. It is a rare object as it is likely this little sea creature would not have been a popular seller in our inland town.
Restoring Our Brentor Banner
Each year Tavistock Museum tries to repair an object in its collection. This summer textile conservators at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) in Exeter are restoring the Brentor village banner.
Decorative Chapel China
Decorative chapel china belongs to a bygone age. Such china is rarely used today and has been replaced by cheaper plain crockery. In 2019, a large quantity of chapel china was donated to Tavistock Museum by The Tavistock Methodist Circuit.
Victorian Police Truncheon
This police truncheon is believed to have been used by Victorian policeman Mark Merritt, to defend himself during a number of violent assaults. The truncheon was donated to Tavistock Museum following many years in the Merritt family.
Medieval Coins
In 2015 a metal detectorist found two medieval silver groats in a field in the parish of Milton Abbot near Tavistock. These have been donated by the landowner and the detectorist to the museum where they are on display.