Dorset Writers
Thomas Hardy is just one of the writers represented in the Museum’s collections. Others include the 19th-century poet, linguist and teacher William Barnes, and members of the Chaldon Herring literary and artistic community, such as the novelist Sylvia Townsend Warner, her partner the poet Valentine Ackland, and Powys family members.
Important Announcement
On Friday 2nd June 2023 the cafe TASTE at Dorset Museum cafe will be closed from 2pm
for a private function.

Dorset Writers
October 30, 2020
John Cowper Powys (1872-1963) AD
Gertrude Powys painted sensitive portraits of her siblings and other artists and writers who were part of the Chaldon Herring community. In this painting she…
Read more
Dorset Writers
September 24, 2020
Statue of William Barnes
Maquette for a statue of William Barnes by Edwin Roscoe Mullins (1848-1907)…
Read more
Dorset Writers
September 24, 2020
William Barnes’ shoes
William Barnes (1801-1886) was well known and respected in Dorchester as a teacher, rector and one of the founders of Dorset Museum. A writer of…
Read more