In 1945 a presentation of great historical and educational value to the town of Bideford was made to the Bideford Bridge Trustees by Alderman F.E. Whiting F.R.I.B.A, who was for the previous 20 years the warden of the famous Bideford Long Bridge. It consisted of a 9 foot 6 inch scale model of the Bridge showing the five stages of its reconstruction from circa 1280 when it was first built as a wooden pedestrian bridge.
Alderman Whiting took six years and a half to complete the model, employing all his knowledge gained during the previous quarter of a century and all the authentic records available. With photographs he produced an accompanying illustrated guide to the model, which is unique as it represents a visual as well as a literary history of the Long Bridge.
For many years this model was on display in Bideford Library, but now it is on view to the public in the Museum in the Burton Art Gallery.