When our founder, Dorothy Holman, set up a museum in the sail loft attached to her house, she used many family possessions to start the collection. Her family donated items relating to the Estuary and Topsham’s ship building trade, while many residents in the town also contributed items. These, together with the contents of her house, still form the basis of our museum today. Loans from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter as well as donations of items associated with Topsham also feature, and our collection includes many documents and photographs.
Please explore our collections – you will be surprised what you find!
Early history
Fragments of prehistory, the Roman occupation and Exeter’s medieval port.
Merchant’s House
A Topsham merchant’s house with 17th and 18th century decor and furnishings.
Maritime Topsham
Ship building, sail-making, vessels, full and half model vessels, and the tools used.
Trades & Trading
Topsham has always been a working town with its main trades varying over time.
19th C decline
Steel and steam replaced wood and sails. See the highs and lows of the times.
20th C changes
A 1900 town model, a 1940s kitchen, Hollywood glamour and many changes.
Modern days
The Museum does more than record the past. We also collect now for the future.
Collection online
Unable to visit in person? A selection of the objects we hold can be viewed online.
Donating items
If you have an item you would like to offer, please contact us. A collections officer will then get in touch with you. Please provide as much information as possible about the object’s history, when and where it was made or collected, and who owned it. Sending us a photograph is really helpful. However, please do not bring items to the museum.