News

Book of Remembrance

September 10, 2022

Dorset Museum is deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time.

To celebrate the life of Britain’s longest reigning monarch, Dorset Museum are collecting memories, during the ten day period of mourning from 9 September 2022. Following the Queen’s state funeral, the Book of Memories will be added to the Museum’s collection and preserved for future generations.

All visitors are welcome to contribute to the Book of Memories and leave their thoughts, memories and condolences.

Elizabeth Selby, Interim Director of Dorset Museum says: ‘The Queen has a long relationship with Dorset and visited a number of times during her reign, including shortly after her ascension to the throne in 1952. The Dorset Museum Book of Memories for Queen Elizabeth II will enable us to collect and preserve the memories and reflections of the Dorset people during this period of mourning, and preserve them for the future. We hope that people will visit the Museum to share their memories.’

Her Majesty The Queen in conversation with Professor R.E.M Wheeler, the archaeologist at Maiden Castle, Dorchester, 3rd July 1952

Her Majesty The Queen’s visits Dorchester, 3rd July 1952

Her Majesty the Queen, on 3rd July 1952, after her visit to the Royal Show at Newton Abbot on the previous day visited Dorchester, Duchy of Cornwall farms and the ancient hillfort of Maiden Castle.  Below is a video made for the recent Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations with a montage of images from the Museum’s collection taken on the day of her visit in 1952.