Our Projects
The Trust’s major role is managing the Guildhall Heritage Centre. However, we are also involved in a range of other heritage-related projects and activities in the town.
Drake Statue Interpretation Panel and Schools Programme
Tavistock Heritage Trust was awarded a grant by Historic England to use Sir Francis Drake’s statue in Tavistock as an educational tool and catalyst for change via a school’s programme and community engagement around the Black Lives Matter protests
The project involved the creation and installation of an interpretation panel near the statue of Sir Francis Drake together with the development of an 8 lesson schools’ learning programme aimed at Key Stage 3 History and Citizenship programmes. The schools’ programme featured the story of Sir Francis Drake: the history of Britain’s transatlantic slave trade, its effects and eventual abolition and the issues surrounding modern-day slavery.
Preservation and virtual recreation of a 16th-century wall painting of a Tudor warship
THT has been working with the Devon County Archaeologist to help preserve and recreate virtually a detailed wall painting of a 16th-century warship rediscovered on the wall of a shop in Market Street.
Research by THT has revealed Tavistock’s mercantile links in weapon trading via Plymouth and the Barbary Coast during the reign of Elizabeth 1.
Promoting Tavistock as a World Heritage Town
Thanks to the support of Devon County Council's Devon Elevation Fund Community Renewal Fund we are working with Visit South Devon to help revitalise the visitor economy of Tavistock as a World Heritage Town
Working with local schools
As part of the Guildhall project, we are working with local schools to develop a range of activities for children of all ages. This will include both teaching resources and learning sessions, mostly focused on Tavistock during the nineteenth-century mining boom and the role of the police and justice system.
Lectures, walks and other events
The Trust will run a regular and varied calendar of lectures, guided tours and other events.
Heritage Open Days
Working with other heritage groups in Tavistock, each September THT co-ordinates the town’s involvement in Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture.