Opening times have been announced for the mini-Museum in Tavistock, starting from early April until the autumn.
Visitors keen to see what is inside the Museum of Policing in Devon and Cornwall’s micro premises, in Tavistock’s Court Gate building, Bedford Square, can be assured the door will be open every Friday, from April 5, 2024, until October, from 11am until 3pm.
In addition, the mini-Museum will also be open to visitors on Tuesday, April 30, from 11am until 3pm, And Saturday, March 30, to celebrate the launch of the Tavistock Heritage Quarter’s new season.
Entry to the mini-Museum is free.
Additional opening times and dates will be announced throughout the year.
The mini-Museum is the result of years of perseverance to find a premises where artefacts, documents and photographs charting Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s policing history and heritage can be displayed to the public.
The Museum stores its vast collection of artefacts at Okehampton Police Station. Its archive of thousands of documents and photographs are kept at the Devon Heritage Centre, in Exeter.
Jim Colwell, Acting Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police, who recently attended the mini-Museum’s official opening, said: “It is fantastic that Devon and Cornwall’s policing heritage is being preserved in this way and we can celebrate the new public accessibility which means more people in our communities can enjoy the artefacts and memorabilia on display, as well as learn more about the history of the force.”
The mini-Museum is the result of years of perseverance to find a premises where artefacts, documents and photographs charting Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s policing history and heritage can be displayed to the public.
The Museum stores its vast collection of artefacts at Okehampton Police Station. Its archive of thousands of documents and photographs are kept at the Devon Heritage Centre, in Exeter.
Pam Giles, volunteer and trustee, who has been involved with the Museum since the start, said: “A lot of the archive and collection has been saved from skips and tips, and it’s important it is protected.
“When people started forming the collection, they didn’t realise the importance of what they were doing.”
Planned exhibits for 2024 include personal stories charting the history of the region’s women in policing.
Greg White, Museum CEO, said: “The mini museum might be small, but it’s significant. The contents inside are but a tiny fraction of the collection and archive we look after.”
The Museum of Policing in Devon and Cornwall is a registered charity supported by the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner to collect, preserve, and share the history of policing in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Help us to open the mini-Museum more often by becoming a volunteer. For more information, email info@dcpolicingmuseum.co.uk or call 07399 858692.
