The Secret Museum

The Secret Museum
Torquay Museum

When: 12 June 2021 to 05 September 2021
Where: Torquay Museum Pengelly Hall
Time: 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Cost: Admission Charges Apply
Suitable for: Any age

'The Secret Museum' is our 175th anniversary exhibition and will be a unique opportunity for some of the huge range of collections held at the Museum to be showcased. Torquay Museum has exceptionally large and varied collections for a town museum. Our stores are a ‘Secret Museum’ full of wondrous objects, some of international importance, some of huge local significance, but many just curious and interesting with fascinating histories. The stores are where 99% of the collections are preserved, held in trust for future generations to study and enjoy. There are many reasons why the Museum cannot and sometimes does not display the items it holds and it certainly does not have space to display everything. This has created a treasure trove often only seen by staff and visiting researchers.

This exhibition has been largely curated by the local community who have chosen over 100 little known and forgotten objects from the stores. There will be 175 objects will be on display, one for each year the Museum has been in existence. In many cases the individuals choosing objects have researched these items or written interpretation based on what their choice meant to them. So delve into our ‘Secret Museum’ and find treasures that will hopefully fascinate and inspire you.

There are FREE 32 page exhibtion guides while stocks last and a trail for children with prizes from the Museum Shop.

The Exhibition and Guide Book were supported by grant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.   

Exhibition Gallery

Exhibitions & Projects

  • Politics and Protest

    Politics and Protest

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    24 February 2024 to 06 April 2024

    View details

  • Friends Annual Open Exhibition

    Friends Annual Open Exhibition

    The Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum

    24 February 2024 to 07 April 2024

    View details

  • Annual Schools Exhibition

    Annual Schools Exhibition

    The Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum

    01 March 2024 to 07 April 2024

    View details

  • Documentary Photography Open 2024  Speaking Out: Changing Times

    Documentary Photography Open 2024 Speaking Out: Changing Times

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    10 February 2024 to 13 April 2024

    View details

  • The Museum is delighted to announce that a collection of Shaldon handmade lace over 100 years old has been acquired

    The Museum is delighted to announce that a collection of Shaldon handmade lace over 100 years old has been acquired

    Teign Heritage Centre Home to Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum

    09 May 2023 to 09 May 2024

    View details

  • John Akomfrah: Arcadia

    John Akomfrah: Arcadia

    The Box, Plymouth

    30 November 2023 to 02 June 2024

    View details

  • ARTIST ROOMS Bill Viola

    ARTIST ROOMS Bill Viola

    Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

    27 January 2024 to 02 June 2024

    View details

  • Beyond the Page: South Asian Miniature Painting and Britain, 1600 to Now

    Beyond the Page: South Asian Miniature Painting and Britain, 1600 to Now

    The Box, Plymouth

    30 November 2023 to 02 June 2024

    View details

  • Yinka Shonibare CBE RA: End of Empire

    Yinka Shonibare CBE RA: End of Empire

    The Box, Plymouth

    12 October 2023 to 23 June 2024

    View details

  • Devonian Monsters

    Devonian Monsters

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    27 April 2024 to 06 July 2024

    View details

  • Katy Lee  Going on Taw

    Katy Lee Going on Taw

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    18 May 2024 to 06 July 2024

    View details

  • What Do You Collect Picturing a collection

    What Do You Collect Picturing a collection

    Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

    30 January 2024 to 14 July 2024

    View details

  • D Day 80 Exhibition

    D Day 80 Exhibition

    Torquay Museum

    19 March 2024 to 21 September 2024

    View details

  • Are we nearly there yet A History of Transport

    Are we nearly there yet A History of Transport

    Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

    15 June 2024 to 29 September 2024

    View details

  • The Michelangelo Trail: A Delve Into LGBTQ Histories

    The Michelangelo Trail: A Delve Into LGBTQ Histories

    Torquay Museum

    01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024

    View details

  • Exciting new Museum displays about kite ballooning in 1917, and the Church Rocks Wreck

    Exciting new Museum displays about kite ballooning in 1917, and the Church Rocks Wreck

    Teign Heritage Centre Home to Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum

    04 July 2023 to 31 December 2024

    View details

  • Planet Ocean

    Planet Ocean

    The Box, Plymouth

    16 March 2024 to 23 February 2025

    View details