ONE of the earliest-known and most detailed paintings of Minehead, showing the now-demolished Napoleonic War harbour defences, has been donated to Minehead Museum.

The picture, painted by an unknown artist around 1800, belonged to local maritime historian, the late John Gilman, and was presented to the museum at the Beach Hotel, Minehead, on July 8 by Mrs Annie Gilman, who outlined her husband’s research and the importance of the painting. 

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the town council, Somerset Council, the YMCA and Minehead Conservation Society, along with friends of the museum. Many knew Mr Gilman, teacher, historian, ship-modeller poet and artist, who died in February 2021.

Introduced by museum chair Julian Luke, Mrs Gilman provided an entertaining and informative talk, and was thanked by Sue Lloyd who with Mr Gilman had written the book “From Curragh to Ketch". The donated picture actually features on the cover of the book.

After the talk and buffet there was the opportunity to view the painting and tour the museum.

A description of the picture had been provided by Mr Gilman in which he said: “Minehead harbour with Dunster's Conygar Tower tall in the right side of the picture. Conygar was built by Henry Fownes Luttrell in 1775 as a folly.”