ON July 4 1982, the Museum of Dartmoor Life opened its doors to the public for the first time. Since then, thousands of visitors ? from the local area, across the country, and around the world ? have looked around its displays showing how the people of Dartmoor lived from the Bronze Age to this century, and have marvelled at the curious objects that were once everyday tools and utensils. Now in its 26th year, the museum also has much more on offer, though, with a regularly changing programme of events, art exhibitions and workshops. To allow residents in the area to take full advantage of this, the museum is launching a season ticket ? which for just £3 will allow visitors entrance to the museum as many times as they like until March 2008. This will be launched at the museum?s annual open day on July 4 ? its anniversary ? when it opens for free to the public for the day. Curator of the museum Maurie Webber (pictured left) said: ?We?d really like to be able to offer free entrance to local people all the time, but our funding just doesn?t let us. ?With this new season ticket, though, we hope people will feel that they can come to the museum for all our events ? and hopefully bring friends along with them.? Some of the events planned for the museum over the next few months include an ?art in stitch? exhibition from July 2 until 22, featuring the needlework of Petra Turner and Jane Jeffs; the Devon Art Works event in September - when the museum will be helping to exhibit artwork from around the area; and the ?big draw? workshop in October, when local artists will be offering advice on drawing. During the month of August, there will also be a ?Dartmoor Myths and Legends? exhibition at the museum, which will combine the work of Devon artists, poets, story-tellers and sculptors. As part of this event, children aged between eight and 12 will be able to take part in ?A Night at the Museum? ? an evening of mask-making, music and stories, which will last from 8pm until midnight ? or ?the witching hour?. This event is by ticket only. Besides being able to pick up a season ticket at the museum?s open day, visitors will also be able to hear a group of youngsters from the Wren Trust performing songs inspired by the museum?s collections at 2.30pm. And they will be free to look around the museum?s research room ? where family and house history can be researched ? and will be able to speak to the museum?s researchers about the best way to go about investigating their own histories. Those inspired by the open day might also want to consider becoming a friend of the museum. This allows use of the research room, and includes invitations to private previews of all the museum?s exhibitions as well as a regular newsletter. It costs just £8 per year for individuals or £15 per year for families, with reduced rates available for students. Full details will be available at the open day, which runs from 10.30 am until 4 pm, or by calling the museum on 01837 52295.
