This is a page from an autograph book compiled during 1918-9. The book belonged to Nurse May Elliot who worked in Exeter’s Military Hospital number 5, located in the College Hostel, Bradninch House, Little Castle Street.

Each page of the book contains messages and drawings from the soldiers in her charge, many of whom were from Canada and Australia. The soldiers had seen active service in some of the worst battles of the First World War and were far from home. This drawing of a battle field was made by an Australian soldier and reflects his experiences in active service.

This wooden roof boss shows a green man, a common figure in medieval church architecture depicting a face with foliage sprouting from the mouth. It is part of the Hems collection of nearly 500 items held by the museum.

Harry Hems was a master stone sculptor and wood worker who came to Exeter to work on the museum building in 1868. He soon developed a thriving business in the city and established a workshop in Longbrook Street. Many of Hems’ commissions were to restore medieval churches, and he acquired many pieces of medieval woodwork through this work. He displayed these items in his Longbrook Street workshop as inspiration for his craftsmen, but unfortunately he did not record where each piece was acquired from.

This is the menu from a dinner to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone of a new school in 1873. The meal consisted of three courses including mock turtle soup, roast chicken and fruit tarts. The menu was folded into three and would have been placed on the dining table.

The City of Exeter School Board was established in1871 to provide formal education for the city’s children. Board Schools were jointly funded by the government and by rates paid by local residents, and run by a group of elected people. Despite these improvements to education, it was still not compulsory for children to attend.

This is the page from an autograph book compiled during 1918-9. The book belonged to Nurse May Elliot who worked in Exeter’s Military Hospital number 5, located in the College Hostel, Bradninch House, Little Castle Street.

Each page of the book contains messages and drawings from the soldiers in her charge, many of whom were from Canada and Australia. The soldiers had seen active service in some of the worst battles of the First World War and were far from home. Many of their messages like this one show their longing for their homeland and their families.

This wooden medieval angel is part of the Hems collection held by the museum. Harry Hems was a master stone sculptor and wood worker who came to Exeter to work on the museum building in 1868. He soon developed a thriving business in the city and established a workshop in Longbrook Street.

Many of Hems’ commissions were to restore medieval churches, and he acquired many pieces of medieval woodwork through this work. He displayed these items in his Longbrook Street workshop as inspiration for his craftsmen, but unfortunately he did not record where each piece was acquired from.

These brass objects are part of Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine Number 1, an early form of mathematical calculating machine. In his lifetime Babbage invented various forms of the machine but never saw them completed due to lack of funds.

These pieces were donated to the museum by Babbage in 1869 during a visit to Exeter. He had lived in Devon as a child and attended school in Alphington. They were among the earliest items donated to the museum, which had opened the previous year.

This is a page from a notebook in which a girl has been practising her handwriting. On one side the letter ‘A’ is repeated, and on the reverse is the letter ‘B’. The child has also signed her name at the bottom of the page ‘Carolina Cary Gratton’. Unfortunately the date which was written next to this is now missing.

This page was found in the roof of Cleve House in Exwick, along with a single kid glove. Items like this are often found in old houses where they are built into walls, tucked into roofs, or placed inside chimneys.

This protective helmet is thought to have been used by Exeter firemen during the 17th century, around the same time as the Great Fire of London. It is made from strong, good quality leather with a wide brim to help protect the wearer’s face and neck from flames and falling debris. The hardwearing synthetic materials used in equipment today did not exist, so heavy leather was the most protective material available.

This hat is a very rare survival - only one or two others are known from Britain. At this time there was no national fire brigade, and no standardised equipment. Fire-fighting equipment was commonly stored in parish churches for public use in an emergency.

The City of Exeter School Board was established in1871 to provide formal education for the city’s children. Board Schools were jointly funded by the government and by rates paid by local residents, and run by a group of elected people. Despite these improvements to education, it was still not compulsory for children to attend.

These dog skulls were found during excavations in Trichay Street, now underneath the Guildhall Shopping Centre. They were found in a rubbish pit which was used from the late 14th century to the very early 17th century.

The smallest skull is probably a pet lapdog. The small, domed skull indicates an animal with a poor level of jaw strength and a vulnerable cranium. This would have made it unsuitable as a working dog. The two larger specimens can be classified as the ‘plain dog’ type. It is possible they were pets but they were most likely working dogs, perhaps guard dogs if they had a fierce temperament.