Our Collections

The Cookworthy Room

In 1670 Thomas Crispin built and endowed the Grammar School.

The Cookworthy Room is the old schoolroom, where generations of boys carved their initials into its wood panelled walls.

Here you will find a permanent exhibition illustrating how Kingsbridge and the surrounding villages have developed throughout the centuries.

The Ilbert Room

This is where our new Costume Gallery will display treasures from our collections of dresses, hats, shoes and accessories from times gone by. An on-going, two-year project – funded by a generous grant from the Art Fund – which will be constantly changing. Come and view the curator getting the garments ready for display, underpinning the dresses with bustles, puffing out the sleeves, shining the shoes etc.

The Lorenz Room

The current exhibition here – “Don’t Stop the Music !” – celebrates local music making and musicians in the South Hams. Music of all sorts has been woven into the history of the area, and continues to flourish today.

The Duncombe Room

This room is showing our current photographic exhibition – “On The Rocks” – about local ship wrecks and the activity connected with them.

If you find a particular view that appeals to you, copies of the images can be ordered – just ask the steward.

There is also a computer kiosk where you can access images of current and previous exhibitions and our vast collection of historic local photographs.

The Crispin Room

This is where our volunteers audit and photograph objects and prepare new collections. Check to see if the room is open – if there is something interesting going on, the notice at the bottom of the stairs will invite you to come up and look.

The Victorian Kitchen

The huge cast iron range came from the local foundry in Duke Street. Meals were cooked on it for up to 60 boarders as well as the Headmaster’s household. The kitchen, with its farmhouse table and built-in dresser, is equipped with the tools, pots, dishes, moulds and cutlery necessary for a large Victorian establishment.

The Farm Gallery

This is in the walled garden behind the main building. It contains a wide range of farm machinery and equipment, from heavy equipment such as a cider press to hand tools.

The local engineering workshops built a range of farming equipment, including wagons to cope with the narrow lanes and steep hills of the South Hams.

We also have facilities for repairing and restoring the machinery.