Where
Okehampton, Devon, on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park.
What
The Museum of Dartmoor Life (MDL) is an independent charitable trust managed by a board of trustees.
Opened
1981. “It was the brainwave of the late John Young, at the time the president of the local Rotary Club. He had felt for many years that Okehampton and Dartmoor needed a museum that would reflect its history,” says museum curator Maurie Webber. The museum is situated in a disused Victorian granary in the centre of Okehampton. It is open this year from 23 March to 11 December.
Collection
Its emphasis is on the social history of Dartmoor and Okehampton from pre-history to the present. Displays cover subjects such as the nearby battle of Sourton Down in 1643, local geology, industry and rural crafts. Photographs, maps, tools and an archive of Okehampton-related documents are also on display.
Help at hand
Webber, the sole employed member of staff, has been curator for the past 11 years. There are 20 volunteers and a small Friends’ association.
Budget
In 2010-11, grants have been given by Okehampton Town Council (£3,500) and the Okehampton United Charity (£3,500). Income comes from admission fees (£3.50 adults), shop sales and venue hire.
In 2004-05 the museum raised £750,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and European Regional Development Fund for a refurbishment. “We were the first museum this side of the moor to get anything from the European fund,” Webber says.
Visitors
8,500 in 2010.
Highlights
Webber chooses a pair of 14th-century engraved bells considered to be two of the most important bells in the UK. They have a link to Okehampton Castle and its then duke, Hugh Courtenay. She also likes the museum’s bull-nose Morris pick-up vehicle from 1922; an array of medals from a local sharpshooter Thomas Ward; and a stuffed cockerel, Fabrice, named after a visiting French student.
Sticky moment
Webber points to the economic climate: “The role of voluntary organisations increases when funding is squeezed. The museum sector is no different.”
Survival tip
“Continue raising the profile of your museum. We were chuffed to get the 2010 Inspire Mark from the London Olympic Committee 2012 for our exhibition on Okehampton life between 1908-1948, the years that the last UK Olympics were held,” she says.
Future plans
To galvanise the museum’s Friends organisation.
www.museumofdartmoorlife.eclipse.co.uk
Okehampton, Devon, on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park.
What
The Museum of Dartmoor Life (MDL) is an independent charitable trust managed by a board of trustees.
Opened
1981. “It was the brainwave of the late John Young, at the time the president of the local Rotary Club. He had felt for many years that Okehampton and Dartmoor needed a museum that would reflect its history,” says museum curator Maurie Webber. The museum is situated in a disused Victorian granary in the centre of Okehampton. It is open this year from 23 March to 11 December.
Collection
Its emphasis is on the social history of Dartmoor and Okehampton from pre-history to the present. Displays cover subjects such as the nearby battle of Sourton Down in 1643, local geology, industry and rural crafts. Photographs, maps, tools and an archive of Okehampton-related documents are also on display.
Help at hand
Webber, the sole employed member of staff, has been curator for the past 11 years. There are 20 volunteers and a small Friends’ association.
Budget
In 2010-11, grants have been given by Okehampton Town Council (£3,500) and the Okehampton United Charity (£3,500). Income comes from admission fees (£3.50 adults), shop sales and venue hire.
In 2004-05 the museum raised £750,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and European Regional Development Fund for a refurbishment. “We were the first museum this side of the moor to get anything from the European fund,” Webber says.
Visitors
8,500 in 2010.
Highlights
Webber chooses a pair of 14th-century engraved bells considered to be two of the most important bells in the UK. They have a link to Okehampton Castle and its then duke, Hugh Courtenay. She also likes the museum’s bull-nose Morris pick-up vehicle from 1922; an array of medals from a local sharpshooter Thomas Ward; and a stuffed cockerel, Fabrice, named after a visiting French student.
Sticky moment
Webber points to the economic climate: “The role of voluntary organisations increases when funding is squeezed. The museum sector is no different.”
Survival tip
“Continue raising the profile of your museum. We were chuffed to get the 2010 Inspire Mark from the London Olympic Committee 2012 for our exhibition on Okehampton life between 1908-1948, the years that the last UK Olympics were held,” she says.
Future plans
To galvanise the museum’s Friends organisation.
www.museumofdartmoorlife.eclipse.co.uk