Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon £15,000. The museum includes a Gift Shop, Tearoom, Tourist Information Centre and Visitor Reception. In May 2018 the museum closed so that an extension could be built. Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is a local museum covering the history and culture of the North Devon area and which is located in The Square in Barnstaple in Devon. The displays range from prehistoric times to the Victorian era. The building and its garden railings beside the river front have been Grade II listed since 1988. The structure was built in 1872 for William Thorne,
Guildhall, Barnstaple etc. On the walls of the Chamber are displayed portraits of former Mayors of Barnstaple and various other local dignitaries including local benefactor William Frederick Rock and Barnstaple-born John Gay, author of "The Beggar's Opera". Some of these were painted by the noted artist Thomas Hudson and a number were restored with funding from the National Lottery. The Dodderidge Room displays the town's collection of silver and other relics connected with the history of Barnstaple. The beautiful carved fireplace is from the former Dodderidge House in Cross Street in Barnstaple that belonged to wealthy local merchant, ship-owner and three times