Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life facts for kids
The museum entrance
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| Established | 1960 |
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| Location | Tiverton, Devon |
| Type | Local history |
The Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life is a cool local history museum in Tiverton, Devon, England. It's a great place to learn about the past of the Mid Devon area. The museum has many interesting things to see, but one of the most popular is a real steam train called the "Tivvy Bumper"!
The museum started in 1960 in just a couple of rooms in an old pub. Now, it's in a special building that used to be a school. This building is so important that it's called a Grade II listed building.
Contents
A Journey Through Time: The Museum's History
The Tiverton Museum began its journey in 1960. It was first located in two small rooms inside the Old Bell Inn. Just two years later, in 1962, the museum's collections grew. They needed more space, so everything moved to Chilcott School.
By 1969, the museum had even more items! It was time for a bigger, permanent home. The museum moved into its very own building. This building was once a National School. Lord Amory helped pay for this big move.
- In the 1970s, the museum added new display areas.
- At the start of the 2000s, the museum got a huge upgrade.
- It closed for 18 months for a big refurbishment.
- In 2001, it reopened with much more space to explore.
- Half of the money for this upgrade came from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
- The local community helped raise the rest of the money.
- In 2012, the museum was even nominated for the Family Friendly Museum Awards!
Exploring the Collections and Exhibits
The Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life has one of the biggest collections in the West Country. It shows how people lived and worked in the area. You can see all sorts of items from daily life long ago.
The Famous "Tivvy Bumper" Train
One of the most exciting exhibits is the Great Western Railway steam train. It's number 1442 and is known as the "Tivvy Bumper." This train ran from 1934 to 1965. It used to carry passengers between Tiverton and the old Tiverton Junction station. Locals gave it the nickname "Tivvy Bumper."
The train you see at the museum was bought by Lord Amory in 1965. It was first displayed outside on Blundell's Road. But in 1978, it was moved inside the museum. This was done to protect it from the weather. Now, it has its own special home called the Authers Gallery. This gallery was actually built around the train!
- You can even step inside the train's cab and imagine being a driver!
- The Authers Gallery also has other transport exhibits.
- You can see old bicycles, a Mini car, and railway signals.
Other Amazing Galleries
The museum has more to discover beyond the train:
- Alford Gallery: This area shows off old farming tools. It has two rare Devon wagons. These wagons are very special, as only three like them still exist!
- Heathcoat Gallery: This gallery is named after John Heathcoat. He was a famous lace-maker who had a factory in Tiverton. Here, you can see a lace-making machine he invented.
- Outside the Museum: Look for a restored waterwheel near the entrance. It's a cool example of old technology.
The museum also has a space for temporary exhibits. These change often, so there's always something new to see! Past exhibits have included:
- The history of teddy bears.
- Old photographs of the local area.
- "Childhood treasures" from the past.
Researching Local History
Besides its exhibits, the museum has a library. It's part of the Devon Record Office Service. Here, visitors can get help researching their local family history. It's a great place to find out about your ancestors!
Virtual Victorians: Step Back in Time Online
The museum also runs a cool website called Virtual Victorians. This website lets you explore what life was like during the Victorian era. You can learn about the Poslett family, who lived in Tiverton in the 1800s.
The website has many digital items, like:
- Old copies of the Tiverton Gazette newspaper from the 1800s.
- Parts of the daily logbook from the Heathcoat lace factory.
The Virtual Victorians website started in March 2000. In its first four years, it had 27 million visits! People from 142 different countries checked it out. This website is especially helpful for schoolchildren. It's used in schools all over the United Kingdom.
