An online journal for the North Devon Athenaeum
1. We Currently Have Over 15,000 Books on Our Shelves. When we first opened in 1888 we had approximately 14,000 volumes on our shelves this gradually increased to 22,000 in 1985. When we moved to our new home in 1988 the collection was scaled down. You can search the items on our shelves via our …
Continue reading "10 Facts About our Library and Book Collections"
Before the North Devon Athenaeum there was the Barnstaple Literary and Scientific Institute. Here are 10 facts about the institute which came before us... 1. The Barnstaple Literary and Scientific Institute Opened it's Doors in 1845 Planning for creating and opening such an institution actually started in 1844 when a petition of over 100 people …
Continue reading "10 Facts about the Barnstaple Literary and Scientific Institute"
1. Each Year we Raise a Glass in His Honour, But, We Are Only Allowed to Mention His Name Once! He hated attending events which went on for hours in praise of the guest of honour, with toast after endless toast. As a result he gave strict instructions we are only allowed to mention his …
The 6th February is the centenary of Parliament passing the Representation of the People Act that allowed women over 30, who owned property, to Vote. One of the arguments of the Suffrage movement was that women had to pay taxes on property but were not allowed to vote for how that money was used. Before …
Continue reading "Votes for Women – Suffragettes and the Devon connection with the movement."
Over the course of 2018 we are aiming to bring you a total of 130 facts about us and what we do to celebrate our 130th Anniversary. To kick things off, here are 10 facts about the Athenaeum in general. 1. An Athenaeum is a literary club-room, a library or place of learning. The word …
2017 was another interesting year which kicked off in February with our shelving project. Over the space of a fortnight and with the help of some willing volunteers, the shelving which was used to store our archival items was emptied, dismantled, the area behind it made good, new shelving installed and the items placed in …
It is well known the contribution women made as nurses during the First World War with examples in literature such as Testament of Youth written by Vera Brittain about her experiences as a VAD nurse but this was an occupation traditionally undertaken by women. Half a million single men had volunteered in the first two …
Continue reading "Women in World War One – Women’s War Work and the Women’s Forestry Corps."
