Allhallows Museum
Introduction
The displays in the three galleries include some of the finest collection of 16th to early 20th century lace; Honiton Pottery; a mid Victorian furnished doll's house; palaentology; children's toys; a war gallery; mementoes of Allhallows School and the Borough of Honiton; coins and trade tokens.
Honiton Lace
In the town famous for lace making, 
Allhallows Museum has one of the most comprehensive collections of Honiton Lace
in the world.
The displays in the Nicoll and Norman galleries feature exceptional examples of Honiton lace dating from the 16th to 20th century.
Honiton lace is one of the world's high quality laces which was much in demand during the 17th and 18th centuries amongst the rich both at home and abroad. In 1698 over half the population of Honiton earned their living from lace. In the 19th century when lace could be made more cheaply by machine, hand made lace fell out of fashion to the great distress of the people of Honiton.
There never was a lace factory in Honiton - it was a cottage industry. Lace 'manufacturers' employed people all around the area to design the lace and to make it and then they sold the finished product. Lace makers worked at home and were poorly paid. Often manufacturers owned the local shops and paid their workers with tokens which could only be spent in their own shop. The main characteristic of Honiton lace is the 'sprig' a term used for a flower, leaf or other design - each made separately. The finished sprigs were then sewn onto net to form the finished design or garment. The designs for sprigs are usually taken from the Devon countryside.
Allhallows Museum has one of the most comprehensive collections of Honiton Lace
in the world.
The displays in the Nicoll and Norman galleries feature exceptional examples of Honiton lace dating from the 16th to 20th century.
Honiton lace is one of the world's high quality laces which was much in demand during the 17th and 18th centuries amongst the rich both at home and abroad. In 1698 over half the population of Honiton earned their living from lace. In the 19th century when lace could be made more cheaply by machine, hand made lace fell out of fashion to the great distress of the people of Honiton.
There never was a lace factory in Honiton - it was a cottage industry. Lace 'manufacturers' employed people all around the area to design the lace and to make it and then they sold the finished product. Lace makers worked at home and were poorly paid. Often manufacturers owned the local shops and paid their workers with tokens which could only be spent in their own shop. The main characteristic of Honiton lace is the 'sprig' a term used for a flower, leaf or other design - each made separately. The finished sprigs were then sewn onto net to form the finished design or garment. The designs for sprigs are usually taken from the Devon countryside.
.
The Honiton Hippo
Long before dinosaurs roamed the area, it was covered by the sea. Many of the fossils on display in the Murch Gallery were discovered when the Honiton by-pass was constructed in the 1965. 
The fossils show that about 140,000 years ago, Honiton was the home of large deer, oxen, elephant and hippopotamus and we had the same sort of climate then that we associate with Africa today.
In 2005, Harry Pearman and John Wilmut of the William Pengelly Trust created an on-line library showing images of the Honiton by-pass bones. They can be found at http://pengellytrust.org/library/honiton.htm
The fossils show that about 140,000 years ago, Honiton was the home of large deer, oxen, elephant and hippopotamus and we had the same sort of climate then that we associate with Africa today.
In 2005, Harry Pearman and John Wilmut of the William Pengelly Trust created an on-line library showing images of the Honiton by-pass bones. They can be found at http://pengellytrust.org/library/honiton.htm Pottery
Pottery was been made in Honiton for over 240 years. One of the earliest references to the trade in Honiton can be found in a poster dated November 21st. It lists Samuel Ford, Thomas Brooke, Charles Denham, William Flood, Isaac Collins and John Linnington's whose occupations were given as potters. Originally the pottery manufactured in the town was a coarse type of earthenware. Honiton pottery was started at the site in the High Street by Mr James Webber in 1881. The clay he used was dug from the ground behind the pottery. When Mr Webber retired, Forster and Hunt continued the business. Then they sold it to Charles Collard in 1918, who with his daughter and partner Joan exported Honiton pottery world-wide. 
Production stopped because of WW2 and the pottery was re-opened in 1945. Charles Collard retired two years later and sold the pottery to Hull and Barratt who started to modernise the process and used bought-in white clay.After another change of ownership in 1961 the pottery finally ceased production in the 1990s. On display this year is Sid Long’s legacy to Allhallows Museum.
Mourning lace
Black mourning lace: The Victorian rules for mourning did not apply as much to men as they did for women. Men were only expected to wear a black arm band but widows would have to go into 'deep mourning' for at least a year after their husband died. Deep mourning meant that a widow would have to dress entirely in black at all times, and she could only leave her house to go to church or visit very close relatives. In the second year after the death of her husband, a widow could include visiting close friends, as well as visiting relatives. Then during the third year of mourning she could start wearing the 'half mourning colours of grey, white or purple. However, Queen Victoria ordered that everyone should wear mourning attire to social occasions for three years following Prince Albert's death in December 1861. Queen Victoria remained in mourning for the rest of her life.
Victorian Doll's House
Victorian Dolls House:
Esme Nicoll
(one of the Museum founders)
donated this splendid example of a Victorian doll's house which dates from c1840. It gives children a wonderful insight into how people lived around 160 years ago. It has all its original wallpaper and paintwork, contemporary furniture and hand worked fine wool petit point carpets. The rosewood furniture was imported from Walterhousen in Germany about 1830. The cast tin plate pieces were made by Evans & Cartwright in Wolverhampton who made toys between 1820 and 1850. The piano really plays a tune as it has a musical box inside. The oldest doll c 1830 - is a Grodnertal type with wooden body and is in its original clothes. The two bisque headed dolls with cloth bodies are a little younger and have been re-dressed. The yellow half - tester bed is hand made and the curtain and vallance are beautifully embroidered in feather stitch.
Esme Nicoll
(one of the Museum founders) donated this splendid example of a Victorian doll's house which dates from c1840. It gives children a wonderful insight into how people lived around 160 years ago. It has all its original wallpaper and paintwork, contemporary furniture and hand worked fine wool petit point carpets. The rosewood furniture was imported from Walterhousen in Germany about 1830. The cast tin plate pieces were made by Evans & Cartwright in Wolverhampton who made toys between 1820 and 1850. The piano really plays a tune as it has a musical box inside. The oldest doll c 1830 - is a Grodnertal type with wooden body and is in its original clothes. The two bisque headed dolls with cloth bodies are a little younger and have been re-dressed. The yellow half - tester bed is hand made and the curtain and vallance are beautifully embroidered in feather stitch.
Artefacts from World War 1 and 11
The plaque in the War Gallery commemorating
Arthur Travers (Bomber) Harris
came from Allhallows School, Rousdon. Harris was a pupil of Allhallows School here in Honiton. He became Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Bomber Command from February 1942 and his office saw the development of the Royal Air Force bombing offensive against Germany and German occupied territory.
On Tuesday July 23rd 1945 the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors admitted Sir Arthur Travers Harris as the third Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Honiton. He was presented with a casket containing the certificate of Freedom at a ceremony the following day.
credits © 2006 Devon Museums Group
supported with generous funding from MLA South West
designed by imaginarium built by light source
supported with generous funding from MLA South West
designed by imaginarium built by light source