About Us
About Totnes Museum
Totnes Museum is set in a beautifully restored Elizabethan merchant's house built, we believe, in 1575 for Walter Kellond. The Grade I listed building is owned by Totnes Town Council. It was bought by the Borough Council in 1958, extensively renovated and turned into the Museum.This year is the 450th anniversary of the house being built.
The Museum in this building first opened in 1961 - before then the museum was housed in the Guildhall. The building is probably the most important object in our collection and has many stories to tell.
Totnes Museum Trust is an independent charitable organisation managed and run by its trustees. Together with volunteers we work tirelessly to celebrate the stories, lives, objects and histories of Totnes to inspire the future.
Our Garden
Hidden away behind the Museum is our really rather lovely garden. Reminiscent for herb gardens of the Elizabethan period, this is a wonderful space to take a step away from the bustle of the busy town and smell the roses.
We want to thank the amazing volunteers of Totnes Gardens for all their dedicated hard work which keeps our garden looking beautiful for visitors to appreciate.
Our garden is open to visitors from 10.30am to 4pm.
Totnes Archive
Looking to do some historical research of your own? Want to know more about the history of Totnes, your home or your family?
Totnes Archive has a truly vast range of research materials ready and waiting for you. Make the most of our great reference library, photograph collection and wide range of historic documents. With the help of our talented Archives who knows what fascinating stories you will uncover!
To learn more about Totnes Archive and its services follow the link below...
A Haunted Museum?
It is not just the Museum's exhibitions that people have experienced during their visit...
Over the years there have been countless reports of supernatural happenings throughout the Museum, from visitors to paranormal investigators.
These experiences range from witnessing the ghosts of cats, children, an angry man and even feeling seasick due to the ship's mast, which the main staircase is built around.
Have you had a paranormal experience during your visit with us?
We would love to hear from you and learn more!
Please contact us at: info@totnesmuseum.org
Totnes Museum Trust
Totnes Museum Trust is the charitable organisation established to govern and run
Totnes Museum and Archive.
Its aim is to celebrate the people and town of Totnes – its stories, lives, objects, history and future – and to inspire, understand and learn about our place in the world.
The Trustees, who are also volunteers, work hard behind the scenes to ensure the ongoing operation of the Museum for future visitors to enjoy and learn from. In law, Trustees of the Board have three duties – compliance, care and prudence. In reality, trustees are very hands on. If you have trustee or professional museum experience and are interested in being a trustee at Totnes Museum, please email chair@totnesmuseum.org to find out more.
Our Charity number is 1191791.
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