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
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History off the Hanger
Killerton House
14 February 2026 to 01 November 2026
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Stored Secrets
Castle Drogo
27 March 2026 to 01 November 2026
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'Our Killerton'
Killerton House
31 March 2026 to 01 November 2026
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Let's Clay!
The Burton at Bideford
14 October 2026 to 07 November 2026
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100 Years of Marilyn
Bill Douglas Centre
29 May 2026 to 20 November 2026
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Bampton Players 50 Years
Bampton Heritage and Visitor Centre
10 September 2026 to 28 November 2026
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Beyond the Samurai: An Introduction to Japanese Cinema
23 July 2026 to 29 November 2026
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The Friends of The Burton Annual Open
The Burton at Bideford
07 November 2026 to 22 December 2026
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For A Time: Sanctuary Seekers in North Devon
The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
24 October 2026 to 02 January 2027
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David Nash
The Burton at Bideford
14 November 2026 to 17 January 2027
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Exeter’s Fine Art gallery: Highlights from the Collection
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
21 October 2026 to 17 January 2027
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The Peopling of North Devon
The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
17 October 2026 to 30 January 2027
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What do you collect The Deaf Academy: Deaf technology through the ages
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
21 July 2026 to 07 February 2027
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Living Labyrinths: Art and Fungi
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
03 October 2026 to 21 February 2027
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Insects Uncovered: Biodiversity in Newton Abbot Exhibition
Newton Abbot Museum
17 March 2026 to 01 March 2027
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A Sense of Colour
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
31 March 2026 to 21 March 2027
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Bayeux Around Britain
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
15 September 2026 to 11 July 2027
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What Do You Collect Tinplate Toys
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
09 February 2027 to 03 October 2027
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Charmaine Watkiss: From the ones who came before…
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
10 February 2026 to 10 October 2027
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Sherlock Holmes at Dartmoor Prison Museum
09 June 2026 to 30 April 2028
