Author Archives: Mark North

Dorset Museum to take part in Athelhampton Attic and Charity sale this Saturday

Dorset Museum is one of two charities taking part in an ‘Attic and Charity auction’ at Athelhampton House this coming Saturday 25 March from 2:00pm. Alongside a range of lots being offered by Athelhampton House, including furniture and other items, the Museum is offering auction-goers the chance to bid on…

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Dorset Museum acquires rare gold and rock crystal pendant dating to the 6th or 7th century

Dorset Museum is delighted to announce that it has acquired a rare gold and rock crystal pendant dating to the 6th or 7th century AD. The pendant was found in 2019 by metal detectorists Charles Bullock and Stuart Robinson near Milton Abbas in Dorset. After the finders reported the…

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This is Now!

Working in partnership with Weymouth College and The Friendly Society of Artistic Labourers,’ This is Now’ explores Dorset Museum’s collection and looks at how creative practitioners learn from and are inspired by, the museum artifacts. And in turn, how contemporary creative responses breathe new life into the museum’s collection. This…

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Free Wedding Fair at Dorset Museum this March

To help couples plan their forthcoming nuptials, the Museum is holding its Spring Wedding Fair on Sunday 5 March 2023, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. They will be working with some of the best wedding suppliers from around the county. From venue…

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The Art of Seeing: An exhibition of photographs by Dorchester Camera Club

One Step Closer to Heaven by Tony Gill Dorchester Camera Club is presenting its The Art of Seeing exhibition at the Dorset Museum in Dorchester from 18 February until 22 June 2023. The Club is one of the most successful photography clubs in the South West and the UK, with…

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Dorset Museum to reunite Gainsborough husband and wife portraits

Portraits of Elizabeth and John Bragge by Thomas Gainsborough Dorset Museum is delighted to announce that it has taken guardianship of A Portrait of Elizabeth Bragge by Thomas Gainsborough dating to 1767.  From 14 February 2023, the painting and a companion portrait of Elizabeth’s husband John Bragge will be reunited in the…

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Dorset Museum celebrates winning four awards at Dorset Tourism Awards, including Gold for Accessible tourism

Staff and volunteers are celebrating after picking up four trophies at the 10th Dorset Tourism Awards held at the Tank Museum in Bovington last week. Presented by broadcaster and journalist Jordan Clarke, 53 winner trophies were presented to tourism businesses and attractions operating across the county. Dorset Museum was…

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Collecting Evolutionary Ideas: Alfred Russel Wallace’s Exotic Bird Skins

In the Museum’s Natural History collection, we have over 80 bird skins collected by the naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace.  A majority were collected during Wallace’s trip around Malay Archipelago between 1854-1855.  A few years after Wallace’s death, these specimens were purchased from his son, William Wallace by Edward Harker…

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Elizabeth Selby

Interim Director of the Dorset Museum Winter is always the time I read most. Life is a little slower, and there are fewer opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, another of my favourite pastimes. I enjoy nothing more than curling up on a sofa with a cup of tea and a…

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