Our Society
Dorset Museum is owned and cared for by members of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society.
A lively organisation of over 2,000 members, it was Dorset’s first conservation organisation being established to collect, preserve, research and exhibit objects relating to the archaeology, natural history, art, literature, and culture of Dorset.
Foundation of the Society
An independent Society, Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club was founded by James Buckman from the result of a meeting at the Digby Hotel, Sherborne on 16th March 1875. The Society was modelled on the Cotteswold Naturalists’ Field Club of which he had been a member. Buckman was the secretary of this club and editor of The Proceedings until his death in 1884.
The Field Club worked in friendly cooperation with the Museum Society for many years. The two organisations amalgamated in 1928, under the new title of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, owning and running the affairs of the Dorset Museum.
Portrait of James Buckman (1814-1884)
By Philipa Kemmis Rowe, c. 1840.
James Buckman with an ammonite by his side. Buckman studied these and other fossils from Dorset’s oldest rocks. He became a Professor of Botany, Geology, and Natural History, and had a keen interest in archaeology.
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Opening hours:
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
Daily: 10.00am - 5.00pm
TASTE Café
Daily: 9.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
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Admissions:
10% discount for Adult and Young Person Unlimited Ticket booked online using discount code DM01
BOOK ONLINE SAVE 10% -
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For more information
[email protected]
Membership
Become A Member Today!
Become a member of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society today and get a deeper insight into 250 million years of Dorset’s history, while you help protect its rich heritage for future generations.
Talks
10 July - 26 September 2024.
Sensing the Past
"Sensing the Past" was a collaborative and co-produced project involving The Dorset Blind Association, Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, and Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.
Find out more19 July - 3 November 2024
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the world-famous exhibition from the Natural History Museum, is returning to Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
Find out more14 September 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon
Roman Town House Tour
Join our trained guides through the history of the Roman Town House site and and the precious artifacts recovered and now on display at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.
Find out more15 September 2024, 11:00-12:00 and 15:00-16:00
Heritage Open Day – Store Tour
Join our Collections Team this Heritage Open Day for an opportunity to explore behind the scenes in the Museum’s Collections Discovery Centre.
Find out more15 September 2024, 13:00-14:00
Heritage Open Day – Thomas Hardy Tour
Join us this Heritage Open Day for a bespoke tour of the Museum to learn more about the world of Thomas Hardy.
Find out more23 September 2024, 12:00noon - 1:00pm
Nature Heals | Trevor Parsons
Trevor Parsons is a local photographer with an amazing story to tell about the healing power of photography and nature.
Find out more25 September 2024, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Store Tour
Join our Collections Team for an opportunity to explore behind the scenes in the Museum’s Collections Discovery Centre.
Find out more28 September 2024, 9:30am - 5pm
Cerne Giant and other Wessex Hill Figures
The Cerne Abbas Giant is one of the most recognisable and talked about hill figures in the UK. This special conference draws upon recent excavations and new research by the National Trust, led by Martin Papworth, and offers the opportunity to explore the giant in relationship to other significant hill figures in the region.
Find out moreWednesday 2nd October 2024, 18:30-21:00
Culture Club – Wildlife Photography: A Look at Dorset Naturally
Join us for an evening of Dorset Nature Photography. We'll have a talk from professional nature and landscape photographer Mike Read, in which he will take us through "A Look at Dorset Naturally", and an exclusive opportunity to explore the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition after hours.
Find out more