Museum On Tour: Plymouth From Destruction to Construction
The Box, Plymouth

When: 09 December 2017 to 22 December 2018
Where: House of Fraser, Fifth Floor, 40-46 Royal Parade, Plymouth PL1 1DY
Time: 9am - 5pm
Cost: Admission free
Suitable for: Any age

9am to 5pm Monday and Wednesday to Saturday
9.30am to 5pm Tuesday
10am to 4pm Sunday

Plymouth suffered greatly during World War II. The docks and naval base made it a major target resulting in the almost total destruction of the city centre and the displacement of tens of thousands of Plymothians.

Amongst this charred and ruined city, a radical new plan was developed to enable its complete redesign and reconstruction. MPs, Councillors and planners sought out the finest architects, designers and artists to create a new city – a modern city – worthy of replacing what had been lost.

The Plymouth we see today epitomises the ambition and vision of this post-war planning.

This exhibition includes fascinating objects, images and footage from the collections of Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office and the South West Film and Television Archive that explore the themes of destruction and reconstruction.

Visitors of all ages can experience the inside of an Anderson Shelter, dress up in a range of replica clothing and learn more about the construction of the House of Fraser itself.

Exhibitions & Projects

  • Journeys with Mai

    Journeys with Mai

    The Box, Plymouth

    14 February 2026 to 14 June 2026

    View details

  • Documentary Photography Open 2026

    Documentary Photography Open 2026

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    25 April 2026 to 20 June 2026

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  • The Art of Resurgence: Celebrating 60 Years of Resurgence

    The Art of Resurgence: Celebrating 60 Years of Resurgence

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    23 May 2026 to 18 July 2026

    View details

  • What We Keep: The Art of Collecting

    What We Keep: The Art of Collecting

    The Burton at Bideford

    11 May 2026 to 19 July 2026

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  • Colour

    Colour

    Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

    23 May 2026 to 06 September 2026

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  • Sir Alfred Munnings: Exmoor Through the Seasons

    Sir Alfred Munnings: Exmoor Through the Seasons

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    04 July 2026 to 26 September 2026

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  • The Polish Navy in Devonport 1939 45

    The Polish Navy in Devonport 1939 45

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre

    15 May 2026 to 28 October 2026

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  • Six Weeks To Go

    Six Weeks To Go

    Kingsbridge Cookworthy Museum

    23 March 2026 to 30 October 2026

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  • Kingsbridge 1939   1945 : The Image and the Place

    Kingsbridge 1939 1945 : The Image and the Place

    Kingsbridge Cookworthy Museum

    23 March 2026 to 30 October 2026

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  • William Cookworthy : A Man of No Common Clay

    William Cookworthy : A Man of No Common Clay

    Kingsbridge Cookworthy Museum

    23 March 2026 to 30 October 2026

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  • History off the Hanger

    History off the Hanger

    Killerton House

    14 February 2026 to 01 November 2026

    View details

  • Stored Secrets

    Stored Secrets

    Castle Drogo

    27 March 2026 to 01 November 2026

    View details

  • 100 Years of Marilyn

    100 Years of Marilyn

    Bill Douglas Centre

    29 May 2026 to 20 November 2026

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  • Insects Uncovered: Biodiversity in Newton Abbot Exhibition

    Insects Uncovered: Biodiversity in Newton Abbot Exhibition

    Newton Abbot Museum

    17 March 2026 to 01 March 2027

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