Life in Edwardian Devizes
Monday, 27 March, 2006

The run of the exhibition ‘Life in Edwardian Devizes’, focusing on the retail trade of Devizes 100 years ago, has been extended to 18 April.

Since opening on 3 February the exhibition, prepared in conjunction with Devizes Chamber of Commerce, has been very popular with visitors to the Museum, resulting in the decision to extend it’s run until 18 April. It is hoped that many visitors will be able to visit the Museum and view the exhibition over the forthcoming Easter weekend. Museum will be open on the Bank Holidays.

The Museum’s Curator, Paul Robinson, said ‘it has been lovely to see people coming in to the exhibition and reminiscing about Devizes and the changes to the businesses on the High Street and Brittox. We hope the extension to the run of this exhibition will allow more people to enjoy viewing the history of the town’.

Amongst the items on display from the Museum and Library collections are old photographs and objects used and sold by well-known local businesses, such as Sloper’s Department Store, Tytherleigh’s glass and china shop and Wadworth’s Brewery. These items are rarely on display, due to a lack of gallery space, and this exhibition is, therefore, an opportunity to see photographs of old Devizes and learn more about businesses which once traded in Devizes.


End

Notes to Editors:


1. For further information please contact Paul Robinson, Curator, or Lisa Webb, Assistant Curator, on 01380 727369.

2. The Wiltshire Heritage Museum is owned and operated by the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (WANHS), a registered charity now in its 152nd year. The Museum is largely funded from private sources, but also receives annual grants from Wiltshire County Council and Kennet District Council, as well as some funding from other sources for specific projects.

3. Founded over 150 years ago, WANHS has dedicated itself to preserving the rich archaeological and historical treasures and records of Wiltshire, including the World Heritage Site of Avebury and Stonehenge. The objects of WANHS are to educate the public by promoting, fostering interest in, exploration, research and publication on the archaeology, art, history and natural history of Wiltshire for the public benefit. To achieve this WANHS maintains a museum, library and art gallery and mounts exhibitions to stimulate and enhance appreciation of the county of Wiltshire; publishes newsletters, an annual magazine, reports, periodicals, books and other literature which are relevant to its activities; provides lectures and visits on topics and places of interest, both inside and outside the county, to disseminate greater knowledge and appreciation of our heritage; operates an archaeological field group which encourages members to become involved actively in the current archaeological scene in the county and provides activities for young people to enable them to appreciate the local environment and to explore their creative powers.

4. The Wiltshire Heritage Museum is ‘Designated’ by the Government as holding nationally significant collections. The archaeological collection contains what are arguably the most important Bronze Age finds outside the British Museum, the core of the displays being items from the Stourhead Collection of artefacts excavated in the early 19th century by the antiquarians Sir Richard Colt Hoare and William Cunnington. Alongside these are important collections from the Roman, Saxon, medieval and recent history periods, a natural history collection, an extensive art collection and library; the last contains unique archaeological records and extensive information and source material on the history of Wiltshire.

5. For further information about membership of WANHS, its Designated Collections, activities, publications and for Museum and Library opening times, please visit our website, www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk


Wiltshire Heritage Museum, 41 Long Street, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1NS
Tel: 01380 727369 e-mail: wanhs@wiltshireheritage.org.uk
www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk

Founded 1853. Registered Charity no. 1080096.
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