Torquay Museum Society

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Torquay Museum Society was originally founded as the Torquay Natural History Society in 1844. The Society is a registered charity and operates as a company limited by guarantee. In 2003 the Society (TNHS) was reconstituted as Torquay Museum Society.

The Society owns and operates Torquay Museum, which is fully registered and has guardianship of remarkable and unique collections. These collections comprise nearly half a million items of local, regional and international significance covering a broad range of natural sciences, archaeology, ethnography, social history and local history.

The aim of the Society is the advancement of education by promoting the study of the natural sciences and human culture, by acquiring, housing, exhibiting and conserving objects and collections of an educational nature.

The governing body of the society, known as the Executive Committee consists of 12 members, who meet monthly to oversee the management of the Museum as well as making policy decisions. The Executive Committee delegates particular matters to sub – committees and working groups which are chaired by a member of and report to the Executive Committee. These groups are currently Fund raising, Finance and Personnel, Marketing, Museum and Programmes.

The operational management of the museum and the strategic delivery of policies are delegated to the Museum Director who is supported by a team of staff and volunteers.

Currently there are in excess of 550 Society members who support the work of the Society and have varying degrees of involvement with both the Society and the day to day running of the Museum.

Members have the opportunity to be elected to the Executive Committee or serve on one of the sub-groups or volunteer their services to assist in the delivery of the operational activities that are required to keep the museum open to the public.

Having secured two successful Heritage Lottery bids and the completion of two development phases the Trustees of the Museum are committed to implementing the agreed strategy to regenerate the Museum. The aim is to achieve a sustainable operation which will enable the museum to take a leading role in the cultural and heritage life of the bay, provide for continued re-investment in the service and respond to the needs of its users.