The Secret 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.