Behind the scenes

Introducing our new Principal Archivist

Last autumn, Jacqui Halewood, Dorset History Centre’s long-standing Principal Archivist retired. We were joined in November by Claire Skinner, stepping into the role with us, and in today’s blog we wanted to introduce you to Claire… — January is traditionally a time both to look back and to look forwards. I would therefore like to… Read more Introducing our new Principal Archivist

Collections Fortnight: December 2024

Following the success of our previous Collections Fortnight, held in January 2024, staff at Dorset History Centre recognised that there is an ongoing need to spend two weeks each year working on many behind-the-scenes things that we cannot otherwise do when we are open to the public. We also learned that January is not an… Read more Collections Fortnight: December 2024

Jacqui Halewood: The end of an era!

On Wednesday 27 November, Dorset History Centre’s Principal Archivist, Jacqui Halewood, will be celebrating her last day with the service before a very well-earned retirement. Jacqui has been with the service since 2000, and have overseen a lot of change in her time at DHC! Before she finishes, we asked her to reflect on her… Read more Jacqui Halewood: The end of an era!

One Year In – the apprentice’s first year

In February, we introduced our three apprentices on the Archivist and Records Manager course, Level 7 – Lillian from the Records Management team, and Kate and Anna from the History Centre team. As of October 2024, they have completed their first year of learning! Anna has pulled together a retrospective of what they’ve been up… Read more One Year In – the apprentice’s first year

Discovering Stories in Archive Collections

We recently had a donation of photographs to the Dorset History Centre, with little information. We knew they belonged to the Morrice Family who lived at the (now-demolished) Glebe House in Weymouth. Included amongst the photographs were photos of the grand Glebe House: Also included in the donation was a handwritten diary from 1856. There… Read more Discovering Stories in Archive Collections

The Empty Rooms Project and Thomas Hardy

As part of the ongoing Thomas Hardy cataloguing project, we have been joined by Emma, an intern who is working alongside Dorset History Centre and the National Trust to unlock some of the gems hidden in the collection… — Some of you may have seen me at Dorset History Centre (DHC) if you are in… Read more The Empty Rooms Project and Thomas Hardy

Bia’s Work Experience 2024: Thoughts at the end of a busy month!

In June and July, we were joined by Bia for a month’s work experience. Having now completed her placement, we have asked Bia to share her thoughts about Dorset History Centre, and the placement itself… — Over June and July, I took part in the Dorset History Centre’s 2024 work experience placement. Although I had… Read more Bia’s Work Experience 2024: Thoughts at the end of a busy month!

Exploring Dorset through Dorset Explorer

During the pandemic, we published a blog about online maps, noting three different sources of information and how you might use each of them to help you with your research. This blog has proven to be one of our most-read blogs ever, and hopefully it has acted as a useful guide to many people. Whilst… Read more Exploring Dorset through Dorset Explorer