The Great Fire of Crediton

When: 19 April 2023 to 28 October 2023
Where: Crediton Museum, The Old Town Hall, High Street, Crediton, Devon, EX17 3LF
Time: 10:00 - 14:00
Cost: Free, donations welcome
Suitable for: Any age

The CAHMS Summer Exhibition for 2023, The Great Fire of Crediton, opens on Wednesday 19th April, and will run through to October 28th.

It will be focused on 1743; the year in which a detailed map of the town was completed just a few months before the disastrous fire which destroyed over 400 properties and led to at least fourteen deaths. An exceptional amount of research has gone into this project – and we have some great stories to tell about Crediton before, during and after the Great Fire.

As the title suggests, the exhibition will examine the dispute which led to the creation of the map; the disaster of the Great Fire; and the long process of recovery as the town struggled to return to normal life in the aftermath. We will be making use of a wide range of resources – many of them never used before - and capitalising on state-of-the-art technology to reveal some of the fascinating stories we’re unearthing. There will be something for everyone in this exhibition. There’s lots about the map and the history of local people and places – as you’d expect – but there’s also a wealth of information about life in 18th century England, along with some unexpected tales of clockmakers, privateers and even highway robbery.

We are delighted to have assembled a team with some terrific skills for this project. Elly Babbedge is an archivist and genealogist who is concentrating on the “people” aspect. Peter Child is a retired Historic Buildings Officer who is researching the old buildings shown on the 1743 map and seeking out historic properties which still stand. John Heal, a born-and-bred Kirtonian, has a lifelong interest in the history of his native town. John’s detailed knowledge will add much “local colour” to our exhibition. Lastly, Tony Gale is a local historian with overall responsibility for designing and delivering the project – undertaking much of the research and bringing together the exhibition and the accompanying book.

We are also publishing a book entitled Crediton & the Great Fire of 1743 (paperback @ £15, hardback @ £25). Copies can be purchased at the exhibition, but if you wish to order a copy contact us at info@creditonhistory.org.uk

Our normal opening days and times are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 10:00am – 4:00pm and Saturdays 11:00am – 2:00pm.

Admission is free, but donations are (always) welcome.