What's on
Virtual Tour – Reading the walls
Join us on our usual Wednesday tour - reading the history of our building, from the walls, as you can see it today
Take part in our Big Draw Event – Capturing Unusual Creatures
Beth Howell investigates curiosity in the animals and wildlife described and depicted in 19th century books of exploration in the collections of the Devon and Exeter Institution - what animal can you draw?
William Savage’s Practical hints on decorative printing (1822)
From the early 19th century, Koenig & Bauer’s new steam-powered double-cylinder printing press, capable of printing over 1100 sheets an hour, disseminated information fast. The circulation of The Times newspaper increased from 5,000 to 50,000 by the middle of the century. However, not all printing was about speed – in 1822 William Savage published his guide to fine art printmaking – still a popular art form today.
The ‘impulse of curiosity’: Hugh Clapperton’s explorations into the African interior
Furloughed on half pay following the end of the war with France, Captain Hugh Clapperton (1788–1827) looked to augment his income with an intrepid exploration into the African interior.
Why we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover
In this week's guest blog, Beth Howell reveals the fascinating contents of an unassuming volume of poisonous and noxious plants.
VE Day – Cooking the Books
Today marks the 75th anniversary of VE day, when the allied forces announced Victory in Europe on May 8th, 1945.
Hints on writing for children from the Lewis Carroll Picture Book
What is the secret of good writing for children? Is there even such a thing as a children's book? As an adult alert to the child within, Lewis Carroll knew instinctively how to write for children and adults simultaneously.
Family lockdown activities and virtual Bookworms
We are delighted to bring you our popular family learning programme and Bookworms junior members' club online.
Join in with craft activities, workshops and experiments using materials that are easy to find at home.
Picturing the Skull
Lunchtime Lecture: An exploration of the skull as a pictorial device
John Smeaton (1724-1792) and the Eddystone Lighthouse
Lighthouse keepers were certainly used to living in isolation; in this week's guest blog Edward Maunder tells the story of John Smeaton's Eddystone Lighthouse, situated 9 miles south of Rame Head off the Cornish coast.
Travels in the Boudoir; or, how to travel the world while staying at home
If you are beginning to tire of the present lockdown you may perhaps find some solace in this little book of travels in the boudoir, or how to travel the world without leaving the house - something, it would seem, that women especially were rather good at in the early 19th century.
Our Region Revealed Jigsaws
A fun way to engage with our collections, these pictures are all newly digitised illustrations from Our Region Revealed project. Whatever your age. Each puzzle can be adapted - from a 6-piece puzzle for little ones to a 1000-piece puzzle for experts - you decide!
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) and his Library of Congress
Our latest Books in Isolation blog post
“Rabbit Food”: The Romantic roots of Vegetarianism
Lunchtime Lecture: “By all that is sacred in our hopes for the human race, I conjure those who love happiness and truth, to give a fair trial to the vegetable system”-
Percy Bysshe Shelley, A Vindication of Natural Diet
The Devon and Exeter Institution secures National Lottery investment for its project ‘The Next Chapter’
Our latest press release - The Devon and Exeter Institution secures National Lottery investment for its project 'The Next Chapter'
Virtual Tour – The Roof
Join us on our usual Wednesday tour - this week we're travelling back through time to the roof restoration of 2016
Picturing the Jabberwock
Our online gallery of creative responses
Ponds in the Parlour: the invention of the seawater aquarium
Books in Isolation - our weekly blog featuring treasures of the collection
Stories of Spirited Children
Lunchtime Lecture: Sometimes, though we try very hard, we don’t always behave how we would like to! Keep out of mischief with these stories about spirited children.
A General History of the Science and Practice of Music: a tragedy in two acts
Books in Isolation Blog
Virtual Tour – The Cottage
Take a virtual tour of the cottage which has been the live-in residence of Institution Librarians and Housekeepers for over 200 years
Anna Laetitia Barbauld’s Evenings at Home; or, The Juvenile Budget Opened
Parents all over the country are preparing for what could be many months of ‘home schooling’ – but it’s easier said than done. This little book – a two-hundred-year-old ‘domestic […]
Read-a-long
Join our virtual Book Group and read-a-long with other members
Mystery trade cards – Our Region Revealed
Are you familiar with the businesses on these trade cards? Do they still exist? Who owned them?
Update on opening hours
Due to the current situation the DEI will remain closed until further notice.
In the meantime we are proud to be bringing much of our programme and events online to provide diversion, entertainment and activities while we are all shut away from the real world. Keep checking our website and social media for new content.
DEI Cinema Club April
Enjoy 'virtual cinema club' in the comfort of your own home
Current Vacancies
We are tendering for a Conservation Architect.
The Devon and Exeter institution is Grade II* listed building adjacent to a Scheduled Monument which houses an independent library and dating from 1813. We have been an educational charity since 1989. We completed a major structural restoration to the roof on time and on budget, between 2015-2017 funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic England.
We are now seeking to appoint an architect to deliver the preliminary works for the development phase of another major National Heritage Lottery Funded project.
The forgotten novels of William Edward Norris (1847-1925)
In his day, W. E. Norris was described as the ‘Gainsborough of English novelists’, an heir to Trollope and a writer of ‘Disraelian intensity’ … so why aren’t we reading his novels today?