North Devon Maritime Museum facts for kids
The North Devon Maritime Museum is located in Appledore.
|
|
| Established | 1977 |
|---|---|
| Location | Appledore, Torridge, Devon, England |
| Type | Maritime Local history |
| Key holdings | Shipbuilding and seafaring history of Devon |
| Owner | Jonathon Band (since 2017) |
The North Devon Maritime Museum is a special museum all about the sea, ships, and sailors. It is located in the town of Appledore in Devon, England. A "maritime" museum is one that tells the story of human history with the ocean.
The museum is inside a historic building called Odun House. This house is a Grade II listed building, which means it is protected because of its historical importance. For over 200 years, many ship owners and sea captains lived in this very house!
The museum first opened in 1977. It is open to visitors from the Easter holidays until the end of October each year.
Contents
What Can You See Inside?
The museum has seven rooms filled with amazing things to see. Each room tells a different story about North Devon's long history with the sea. You can learn about shipbuilding, famous sailors, and exciting sea voyages.
Secret Weapons of World War II
One of the most exciting exhibits is about secret weapons from World War II. These strange and clever inventions were tested right here in North Devon. You can learn about:
- Hobart's Funnies: A collection of unusual tanks designed for special missions.
- The Great Panjandrum: A giant, rocket-powered wheel designed to smash through enemy defences.
- Amphibious Tanks: Tanks that could travel on both land and water.
- Frogmen: The name for the very first navy divers who carried out secret underwater missions.
Ships, Sailors, and Shipwrecks
The museum is packed with models, pictures, and real objects from the past. You can see detailed models of old sailing ships and steam-powered vessels. There are also displays about famous shipwrecks that happened off the coast of Devon.
Some key exhibits include:
- A model of the warship HMS Bideford. This model was made from wood that was saved from the real ship.
- Information about Richmond Dock, a historic ship-repair dock in Appledore that opened in the 1800s.
- Artifacts from the life of Admiral Sir Robin Durnford-Slater, a high-ranking naval officer.
Museum History
The museum celebrated its 40th birthday in 2017. That same year, the museum was able to buy the Odun House building, making it its permanent home. Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, a former head of the Royal Navy, attended a special ceremony to mark the occasion.
Today, the museum is run by a team of dedicated volunteers. They look after the exhibits and welcome visitors. The museum also has a large collection of books and documents that researchers can use to study maritime history.
External links
- Official website: http://www.northdevonmaritimemuseum.co.uk
