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Museums provide learning opportunities for all ages.

Sights & Sounds Exhibition 2010

“The Sights & Sounds of Newton Abbot” 
10th March- 29th October 2010


The 2010 exhibition is a vibrant mix of photographic images, extracts from the film and oral archive collections, and objects from the collection.
Within the exhibition two ancient objects have been loaned to the museum. One object is a prehistoric wooden figure, known as the Kingsteignton Idol, discovered by WBB clay workers in 1867.  It was previously on display at Exeter Museum.  It will be the first time that the idol has been displayed in Newton Abbot. The second object of great historic interest is over 2,500 years old!  It is a rare, bronze- age spear head, found near the ‘Idol’ in the river bed near B&Q! These two ancient exhibits will bring the ancient history of the town to life. 

These objects could be used to stimulate creative writing/story telling?-
• Who was the man that dropped the spear-head in the clay?
• Was he murdered?
• Did he drown?
• Why was the figure carved? Idol worship/child’s toy/did it have healing powers for the ancients?
• The figure is made of oak, discussions on types of trees and wood carving.


Last year’s, very successful John Lethbridge exhibition, will be available for a re-visit, or be a perfect opportunity for the school to visit the exhibition if they missed it in 2009.  The full-sized replica of John Lethbridge’s, (18th century diver and inventor) diving- machine awaits you!

The Lethbridge exhibition could stimulate projects on:-
• Materials                                                                          
• Exploration & invention
• History of the town
• Shipwrecks & seafaring & pirates!
• Trade
• Story- telling and writing & drama


OR Stories about a young boy who likes diving and discovers an old wreck on the sea bed, and finds silver...does he keep it a secret or share it with his mates?


• PLUS!...there is the GWR Railway Room with a working signal box, and items and photos relating to IK Brunel and his influence on the town....again many railway stories could be developed from visiting the room.
• PLUS!!!  Two Tudor carved wooden panels will be on display for the first time...the story of the survival of the screen could be told from a journalistic point of view, or a creative story could be made as if the writer was the screen.etc.

 

 

John Lethbridge 250 Exhibition 

In 2009 the Museum celebrated the remarkable, and extraordinary life of Newtonian, John Lethbridge, who invented a diving-machine in 1715.  With this machine he went onto salvage wrecks for the East India Company (and others). He carried out his first experiments in a pond in his back garden in Newton Abbot, and was buried at the age of 83 in the churchyard of St Mary's Wolborough.  He is known all over the world by the diving fraternity.
The exhibition includes a full-sized replica of Lethbridge's diving-engine, which is six foot long and two and half feet
wide in diameter.  Belgian diver and marine archaeologist Robert Stenuit has loaned artefacts that he salvaged from the 'Slot ter Hooge' (a Dutch East India shipwreck) in 1977.  They were left behind by Lethbridge during his salvage attempts in 1724; these objects are now on display in the museum!

Why not come on a journey with Mr and Mrs Gill and listen to their conversation, they are talking about a journey, but when and where? 

 

This short 'performance' can be used during school visits to stimulate
enquiry about Victorian Newton Abbot and the coming of the railways in 1846.
The working signal box is always a favourite, and everyone can be a
'signalman' for a moment, which enables the children (and all visitors) to try out, and understand the basics of signalling.
 Education - Helen School
 

Learning through the Museum Archives

Each year a new exhibition is created,which creates a new archive as members of the public, who have some connection with the exhibitions donate photographs or archive material that follow the theme of the exhibition. In this way the museum archives are continually growing and are available to everyone.

Primary School Children 

A local school enjoying a visit to the GWR Room and
waiting to be budding Signal men and women!  
The children (and adults) can learn about the
GWR signalling system. 

  

  

  

  

Other Learning opportunities

Museums are able to provide work experience opportunities and long-term work placements for the new ‘Skills For Life’ diplomas.

Newton Abbot Town and GWR Museum provided a 2-day a week placement for a student from Coombeshead College to use his IT Skills. (He has built a computer simulation on which you can drive a train from Newton Abbot to Exeter!) 

There are programmes for lectures for adults on a wide range of subjects .See the 'Whats On' page for more information on the 'Museum Friends Group' lectures
(pay at the door if you have not yet become a museum friend)
The Museum offers 'History Trails' within the centre of town, with short walks and talks to paint a picture of life in Newton Abbot, centred around the Clock Tower, Courtenay Street, Union Street and the Library.  Booking is essential.  Ring the Museum Curator Felicity Cole on 01626 201121.

 

     

Past Exhibitions

Click on the title of the exhibition to find out about it.   

 

The Polish Exhibition in 2003

Charles Collard 1874 - 1969 Westcountry Potter Exhibition in 2004

Sir Samuel Baker - Victorian Explorer (Jan - May) and Every object tells a story (May - Sep) Exhibition in 2005  

Brunel - 2006 - Please note that this is a link to the Brunel Page of the site

Newfoundland Exhibition in 2007

'Chemistry and Photography' The story of the Bibbings Family in 2008

John Lethbridge - 2009 exhibition
 
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2a St Pauls Road
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ12 2HP

Tel: 01626 201121
Email: museum@newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday 10:00 - 16:00
Fridays 10:00 - 12:00
Saturdays 14:00 - 16:00
GWR Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday 10:00 - 16:00
Fridays 10:00 - 12:00
GWR