Collections Blog

With a collection of four million objects to look after, new exhibitions to stage and events to host, there’s always so much going on behind the scenes at Dorset Museum.

Check-in on our blog to find out more about what our staff and volunteers get up to. From researching curiosities in our collection or sharing what goes into curating an exhibition, they’ll share their stories and give you an insider’s view from one of Dorset’s top visitor attractions.

Important Announcement

Friday 22 September 2023, The Victorian Hall will also be closed all day for a private function. The Fine Foundation Dorset Story Space, next the the Thomas Hardy's Dorset Gallery will also be closed for an hour around Midday.

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    Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
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News

August 10, 2023

A rare Roman coin hoard acquired by Dorset Museum in 2022 has gone on display

The hoard of Roman coins was found in the parish of Askerswell in West Dorset in 2017 during a metal detecting rally.  A selection…

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Objects in Focus

July 2, 2023

A Fisherman’s Tale: The Monster Fish of the River Frome

Visitors to the Dorset Museum may have noticed the large fish suspended in the Natural Dorset exhibit in the Lulworth Gallery. Believe it or not,…

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Social History

June 18, 2023

A Dorset Soldier at Waterloo

This year marks the 208 Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo on 18th June 1815. We highlight the role played by Dorset-born, Sgt William Lawrence,…

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Archaeology

April 22, 2023

Fordington St. George by H. J. Moule

From the ‘Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society’ Volume 5, 1844, an article written by Henry. Joseph. Moule, M.A. entitled ‘Fordington St.

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Literature

March 28, 2023

Items gifted by singer-songwriter PJ Harvey go on display at Dorset Museum

An archive of items gifted to Dorset Museum by PJ Harvey on the publication of her Dorset dialect poem Orlam, has gone on display.

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News

March 16, 2023

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…

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News

February 7, 2023

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…

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News

February 6, 2023

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…

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Objects in Focus

January 6, 2023

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…

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