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14. The Partridge Collection An important part of our large geology collection is known as the “Partridge Collection”. In researching this we have come across the astonishing story of one of Barnstaple’s most remarkable women. Ethel Mary Partridge was born in Barnstaple in 1872, the daughter of pharmacist James Partridge. She was educated locally, winning …

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16. A Hair from an Elephant's Tail This elephant hair was posted to Henry Desborough of Pilton, probably around 1860.  It found its way into the collections of the North Devon Athenaeum, perhaps via the Literary and Scientific Institution, of which Henry was a member. Museums in the 19th century became the home of all …

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19. Combe Martin Silver Ore This large sample of galena or lead sulphide almost certainly comes from the last successful reworking of the Combe Martin lead mines in 1848.  Combe Martin lead ore has a high silver content, containing up to 168 ounces of silver per ton. Mining at Combe Martin may have started in …

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24. The Buzzard Nine-year old Abbie Hockin visited the museum with her grandfather and was intrigued to see the buzzard frowning on her from its high perch in the birds of prey display. She frequently sees buzzards in the sky above her home at Abbotsham and she knows a few things about them. She has …

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35. Animal, Vegetable or Mineral? We often bring this rather beautiful object out as a “Mystery Object” when giving talks to local societies or for visiting groups.  What can it be?  Suggestions in the past have included a cannon ball (too light); a tropical seed (too plain); or a toy (but made of what?).  This …

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45. The Straight-Tusked Elephant Why an elephant in Barnstaple?  In 1844, workmen digging clay in the brickfields in Summerland Street unearthed this fragment of elephant tusk, together with some teeth (now in the Natural History Museum).  At this time the popular view was that the earth was no more than 5,800 years old, although many …

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55. The Leatherback Turtle The leatherback turtle is the largest of the sea turtles, generally around 2m long and weighing around 600kg. They are named for the leathery skin that covers their back instead of a hard shell. Leatherback turtles travel the seas alone hunting for jellyfish and are a rare sight off the west …

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65. Clara Peters' Watercolours Shortly before her death in 1939 Clara Elizabeth Peters presented her extensive collection of watercolour paintings of local plants and flowers to the North Devon Athenaeum. Clara, known as Chrissie, was born in London in 1865, the daughter of a piano maker.  Her mother died when she was a child, and …

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68. The Otter Hunter When in use in the early 20th century, this otter hunting uniform would have been frequently drenched in mud and water, from hours of scrambling through North Devon wetland, accompanied by the deep barks of otterhounds pursuing their prey. On the lapel is a brooch made of an otter’s penis bone …

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70. Footprints from Westward Ho! This block of consolidated clay preserves ancient hoofprints from Northam Burrows.  In winter 2008 storms damaged the pebble ridge causing it to retreat and to expose a surface in which were preserved the prints of animals, most probably deer. These must have been made before the pebble ridge was formed …