Overbeck's facts for kids
Overbeck's Garden is a beautiful 2.75 hectare (about 7 acre) garden located in Salcombe, Devon, England. It's a special place that was once part of a large house. The garden is named after its last private owner, a scientist and inventor named Otto Overbeck (1860–1937).
For many years, the house at Overbeck's was split into two parts. One part was a museum, and the other was a youth hostel where young travelers could stay. The youth hostel closed in 2014. The museum also closed in 2020. Today, Overbeck's is mainly known for its wonderful garden, which is open for everyone to visit.
The museum used to show off some of Otto Overbeck's cool inventions. It also had collections of stuffed animals and model sailing ships. You could even see old tools used for building boats. Many of these sea-related items are now at the nearby Maritime Museum in Salcombe. One fun part of the house was a room with a secret door! Inside, there was a display of dolls' houses. Staff even hid a "Fred the friendly ghost" for kids to find. The museum also had a huge Polyphon, which is like a giant musical box. It played music from large metal discs. Sometimes, visitors could still hear these old tunes. There were also old photos by Edward Chapman, who took pictures of Salcombe in the early 1900s.
Contents
History of Overbeck's Garden
The story of Overbeck's Garden began with a smaller house. This first house was called "Sharpitor." A builder from Salcombe named Albert Stumbles built it.
Early Owners and Garden Growth
In 1901, a person named Edric Hopkins bought Sharpitor. He also bought an extra 2 acres of land. Mr. Hopkins started to create the beautiful terraces you see today. He planted many unusual and exotic plants in this sheltered spot.
Building the Current House
Later, in 1913, Mr. and Mrs. Vereker bought the property. They decided to knock down the first house. Then, they built the larger house that stands there now.
Otto Overbeck's Legacy
Otto Overbeck bought the house in 1928. He lived there until he passed away in 1937. Otto Overbeck loved the house and garden very much. He wanted it to be used by the public after he was gone. So, he gave it to the National Trust. He asked that it be used as "a public park and museum and a Hostel for Youth." This is why the garden and house were open to visitors for so long.
