Newton Abbot Town & GWR Museum
Chemistry & Photography-The Story of the Bibbings Family -open 12th Feb.2008
The Mayor Cllr Keith Smith officially opened the museum on Monday 11th February 2008.
This year the main exhibition is'Chemistry and Photography'-The Story of the Bibbings Family. John Bibbings,one of the sons of Arthur Bibbings attended the opening,together with two of the ladies that that woeked in Bibbings the Chemist in the 1940's. They were delighted to see the interest shown towards the history of the shop and the photographs.
Bibbings the Chemist was renowned throughout the town. Mr J.H. Bibbings fitted out his Chemist shop in Queens Street with mahogany fittings, which remain to this day. (Bibbings is now The Pharmacy Cafe) Mr John Bibbings senior, was very accomplished man, and created many of his own
remedies and potions. Bibbings perfumes were very well known throughout the area particularly, Bibbings Devon Violets and Lavender Water.
One of John Bibbings sons, Arthur Bibbings, became more interested in photography, and a collection of his artistic black and white photographs are on display. The
museum has recently acquired digital fames which enable the photographic archive to be displayed as a continious show. This enables the museum to show many more of Arthur Bibbings work.
Another element of this year's exhibition, is a "Then and Now" photographic exhibition of the town. It is hoped that this will create lots of discussion and reminiscences from the visitors.
We are keen to talk to anyone that has memories of Bibbings the Chemist...indeed we are keen to talk to anyone that has memories of the town and would like to share their stories!
This year the main exhibition is'Chemistry and Photography'-The Story of the Bibbings Family. John Bibbings,one of the sons of Arthur Bibbings attended the opening,together with two of the ladies that that woeked in Bibbings the Chemist in the 1940's. They were delighted to see the interest shown towards the history of the shop and the photographs.
Bibbings the Chemist was renowned throughout the town. Mr J.H. Bibbings fitted out his Chemist shop in Queens Street with mahogany fittings, which remain to this day. (Bibbings is now The Pharmacy Cafe) Mr John Bibbings senior, was very accomplished man, and created many of his own
remedies and potions. Bibbings perfumes were very well known throughout the area particularly, Bibbings Devon Violets and Lavender Water.
One of John Bibbings sons, Arthur Bibbings, became more interested in photography, and a collection of his artistic black and white photographs are on display. The
museum has recently acquired digital fames which enable the photographic archive to be displayed as a continious show. This enables the museum to show many more of Arthur Bibbings work.Another element of this year's exhibition, is a "Then and Now" photographic exhibition of the town. It is hoped that this will create lots of discussion and reminiscences from the visitors.
We are keen to talk to anyone that has memories of Bibbings the Chemist...indeed we are keen to talk to anyone that has memories of the town and would like to share their stories!
Very unusual donation!
The museum has just been given a very quirky artefact. It is a length of rope made from human hair!
The gift has come from a lady whose Aunt Maud used to live in the flat in one of the Rope Walks in Newton Abbot in the 1920's.
Aunty Maud had extraordinarily strong, heavy hair. When she decided to cut it, Sam and George Brooks (who owned a Rope Walk in Newton Abbot) offered to make her a rope swing from it.
The museum now has two photographs, one showing Sam and George making the hair rope with Maud looking on, and another depicting her swinging on it!
The museum was also given an article from The Western Morning News of 1928 with the two photographs. All the items have now been donated to the museum.
Bristol Industrial and Maritime Museum donates Atmospheric Pipe
An atmospheric pipe section from I.K. Brunel's South Devon Railway, has been officially donated to the museum by Bristol Museum.They had previously lent the section to the museum for the Brunel 200 celebrations.
The museum is
very pleased to accept the gift, as it enables the interpritation of the atmospheric system to be told with clarity.
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