About us
A part of The Fenwick Charitable Trust, Registered Charity Number 1007957 About the archiveMeet the team
What is The Devon Rural Archive?
We are an independent heritage centre for the study of our county’s buildings and landscapes which first opened to the public in 2009.
Our purpose built Archive is situated in the grounds of Shilstone House near Modbury, above the Shilstone Cafe.
The Archive is bursting with historical information about our county and its people. Our collection consists of historic documents, maps, images, books, journals, periodicals, as well as a growing collection of oral history recordings. This all makes us an invaluable resource for anyone interested in local history, and we welcome visitors who simply wish to browse our collection, research their local area, or undertake academic study. The Archive is also home to our Family History resources and the reports of our own archaeological research, Project Donn.
Meet the team
Jackie Close, Archive Administrator
Jackie began as a volunteer before stepping into the Administrator role in July 2025. With experience working for a local charity and many years in hospitality, she now supports the Archive’s daily operations, works closely with volunteers, and helps co-ordinate events.
Contact Jackie: archive@shilstonedevon.co.uk
Rebecca Jarvis, Assistant Archive Administrator
Rebecca began volunteering in July 2025, after her tutor recognised an archival aspect to her work whilst studying for a Masters in Illustration. She has since joined us as an assistant archive administrator, focusing on using her creative skills for our Instagram page, as well as displays and exhibitions in the Archive.
Volunteers
Jackie and Rebecca are supported by a dedicated team of volunteers who help care for our collection, support visitors in accessing the resources and carry out research into different aspects of our county’s heritage. We pride ourselves that the Archive is a friendly and productive place to work, and our existing team of volunteers speak of the satisfaction that their sessions here give them. If you would like to get involved, then have a chat with one of the team.
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Where we are
Devon Rural Archive, Shilstone, Modbury, Devon, PL21 0TW
Call us: 01548 830832
Email us: archive@shilstonedevon.co.uk
