Dorset History Centre is the official archives and local studies service for Bournemouth, Christchurch, Dorset, and Poole. Whether you’re tracing your family tree, digging into local history, or looking for legal records, our collections are here for everyone. More information about the kinds of archives we hold can be found on our online catalogue and also on the… Read more We NEED You!
Join us at Dorset History Centre for Heritage Open Day this Sunday 21 September, 10am to 4pm, to find out more about what we do and how we do it! Our behind-the-scenes tours are now sold out, but there will still be plenty to drop in and do on the day! In our searchroom, there will… Read more Heritage Open Day 2025
In July we were joined by Caeron and Eve for a four week work experience placement. During their time with us, we asked them both to reflect on some of the interesting things they came across from the archive. Today Caeron explains his favourite items… — My favourite part about work experience was being able… Read more Work Experience 2025: Locked away…
As a new academic year begins, we delve into the archives to share a story of a bad choice for one school in eighteenth-century Christchurch! The Free School, Christchurch In 1772 a Robert Barrett saw an advert in “the Publick Newspapers” for the position of Master at the Free School in Christchurch. Interested parties were… Read more A school scandal!
Recent Comments