Dartmouth Museum facts for kids
The Dartmouth Museum is a cool place in Dartmouth, Devon, where you can explore the exciting history of this old port town. It's like stepping back in time to see how people lived and worked by the sea!
The museum moved to its current spot in the 1950s. It's inside an old merchant's house, which is a fancy name for a wealthy trader's home. This house has a really interesting story: in 1671, King Charles II himself stayed here! A big storm forced him to stop in Dartmouth, and he even held court (meaning he did his royal duties) from this very house. Today, the Dartmouth Museum Association, a group that helps run the museum, takes care of it. They are a registered charity, which means they are a non-profit organization that helps the community.
What Makes Dartmouth Museum Special?
The Dartmouth Museum is packed with amazing things to see and learn about. It was updated in 2010 and 2011 to make it even better for visitors.
Amazing Collections to Explore
Inside the museum, you'll find many interesting collections that tell Dartmouth's story:
- Ship Models: There's a large collection of detailed models of sailing ships. You can see how these ships looked and worked long ago.
- Ships in Bottles: One of the most famous parts is the "Dawe Collection," which features many tiny ships carefully built inside glass bottles. It's amazing to see how they fit them in there!
- Local History: The museum also keeps old records and photographs from Dartmouth. These show what life was like for people in the town over many years.
- Unique Ceiling: Look up when you're inside! There's a special plaster ceiling that shows the "Tree of Jesse." This is a unique piece of art that you won't find anywhere else.
- The Henley Collection: This collection includes many interesting items and scientific materials gathered by a man named William Henley (1860-1919). These items used to be in their own separate museum on Anzac Street in Dartmouth.
How to Enter the Museum
Getting into the museum is an adventure itself! The entrance is located in Dartmouth's famous Butterwalk, which is a historic row of buildings. You'll go up a spiral staircase that winds around a ship's mast. This staircase is built counterclockwise, which is a bit unusual and fun!
