Treswell’s Survey contains the first pictorial description of Corfe Castle, alongside a series of beautiful maps of Dorset, but their full charm could not be accessed due to the volume in which they were bound. Our Conservator describes releasing the maps so they could be justly appreciated. The Treswell survey, ‘Maps of Dorsetshire’, is a… Read more Bankes Archive: Releasing Treswell’s survey
Dorset Archives Trust have recently funded the purchase of an environmental meter, which is used to offer advice to museums and individuals. When caring for historic documents, it’s important to ensure the environment they are stored in is not detrimental to their long-term survival. At Dorset History Centre, archival documents are stored in purpose-built strongrooms that are controlled… Read more Monitoring the Environment
Recent cataloguing of the Poole Borough Archive has revealed an early mention of Robin Hood! The earliest existing record book for Poole Borough, dating 1490-1553, provides us with a yearly record of appointed officers – mayors, churchwardens, bailiffs, keymen and constables – along with accounts of town and parish funds, traditionally held in the ‘town… Read more Robin Hood comes to Poole
Staff at Dorset History Centre have been looking at the treatment of patients at the Dorset Asylum during the First World War. Dorset History Centre holds the archive of the Dorset County Lunatic Asylum, covering the period from 1829 -1989. The archive includes patient records, committee minutes, accounts books and plans of the hospital, amongst… Read more Spotlight on mental health in World War 1
Transportation records in the Borough of Poole Archive provide a fascinating insight into the fate of 18th century convicts, including one of the very first Europeans sent to Australia. Most people know the story of Dorset’s most famous transportees, the Tolpuddle Martyrs sent to Australia in 1834 for setting up a Friendly Society. Now,… Read more Journeys to new worlds: transportation in 18th century
Licensing records in the Poole Borough Archive give an insight into the history of entertainment and leisure in Poole. Newly catalogued licensing documents in the Poole Borough are an excellent source for pub history and provide an insight into what kept Poole’s population entertained over the last few hundred years. Historic Poole pubs Lists of… Read more Pubs and Players
Explore the Treves Trail – a walking trail in Dorchester which gradually reveals information about the life of Sir Frederick Treves. 175 years of rural healthcare DCH175 has been a Heritage Lottery Funded project to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the founding of Dorset’s county hospital. Such a significant institution touches many lives, and its history… Read more Trailing Treves
Recently catalogued documents from the Poole Borough collection reveal historic attitudes to public punishment. The Tudor period was a bad time to be a criminal! Death sentences could be handed out for everything from murder to theft and even begging. In an era when public executions were common, and even seen as a form of entertainment, punishments… Read more Poole’s Pillory
During World War One it took only two days for a letter to reach the front. By the war’s end, two billion letters and 114 million parcels had been sent and received by Britain. A few of these have been deposited in the archives and offer a personal perspective on the war. Gifts from home… Read more In their own words: letters from World War 1
Staff at Dorset History Centre have added the 300,000th entry to the archive catalogue and take the opportunity to shine a light on previously catalogued pieces of history. The archives described within the catalogue are diverse and include original manuscript and printed documents, audio-visual material, photographs, drawings, maps and plans, and, increasingly, digital records. This… Read more 300,000 records of Dorset’s past available to search online
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