current exhibitions | 2025
BIRDS OF THE LOWER OTTER RESTORATION PROJECT (LORP)Major landscaping works that began in 2020 in the Lower Otter Valley culminated in November 2023 with the breaching of the old embankment, allowing seawater to inundate the floodplain at high tide and creating a new salt-marsh habitat, which is still evolving. Local naturalist David White has been observing the birdlife in our valley for many years and this exhibition of his photographs will delight nature lovers and serious birders alike. The glorious silk gown above (rear view seen here) was sewn in about 1775 and is one of the earliest gems in our costume collection. This year we are showing six gowns made in the eighteenth century, including Spitalfields woven silk designs and sack-back fashions with accessories. The exhibition is upstairs in the Joy Gawne Room, named for our late founder whose enthusiasm for costume was an inspiration and who died last year.
THE JOY GAWNE LACE COLLECTION and MACHINE-made laceBeautiful examples of the 19th century lacemaker's art, these hand-worked collars are included in our exhibition this year. On the left a Point de Gaze, needle lace from Brussels and on the right a collar of Maltese silk lace.
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A history of The old shops
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