The Dorset History Centre is fortunate to have been given a collection of images belonging to the Gaumont Cinema, Weymouth. The images have been digitised by Eddie Prowse who has provided as much information as is currently available for an interesting insight into 1950s local cinema. Background to the Gaumont Cinema Archive of Photographs In… Read more A Collection Almost Lost: Remembering The Gaumont Cinema, Weymouth
Hello! My name is Kate and I started working at the Dorset History Centre in early June. For anyone wondering what it’s like to work in an archive, here are some of the things I’ve got up to in my first few weeks as a History Centre Assistant. Much of my time has been spent… Read more First Impressions of Working at Dorset History Centre!
In June 1904 Col. W. F. Cody, aka ‘Buffalo Bill’ and his Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders Show appeared in Dorchester for one day only. In a previous blog, we looked at the build-up to the event, and this time, we have taken a look at how the day of Buffalo Bill’s arrival… Read more The Wild West Comes to Dorchester! (Part 2)
On the 16th June 2022, supporters of the Dorset Archive Trust attended a fund-raising Gala event at Smedmore House, a house residing on an estate rich with history. The event was attended by Dorset History Centre volunteer Toby, who is developing skills in film and photography, and has written this blog. — The Dorset Archives… Read more Smedmore House Gala
In May, a new touring exhibition opened called ‘Hardy’s Wessex’. Curated by the Wessex Museum Partnership, the exhibition is being displayed across four museums: Dorset Museum, Poole Museum, The Salisbury Museum and Wiltshire Museum. Each museum explores a different theme, and together it is the largest collection of Thomas Hardy objects ever displayed at one… Read more Hardy’s Wessex
Kushti Bok is the voice for Gypsy, Roma and Travelling people in Dorset, and for the last three years our Community Engagement Officer has worked closely with the organisation. We’re hoping that a strong relationship with Kushti Bok will lead to better representation of these communities in the records we store. We’ve learnt a great… Read more Reverend Roger Redding MBE, Chaplain to the Gypsies and Travellers
Language changes over time. As new words come and go and regional dialects fade from memory, the English we speak today is very different from that spoken 200 years ago. Dorset History Centre holds an 1856 election poster from Bridport written, for political effect, in the Dorset Dialect: The author, Jems Mab, says ‘Ich be… Read more Dabbling in Dorset Dialect
It’s always exciting when a truly historic event takes place. Queen Elizabeth II is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee and is now the third longest reigning monarch in history. Of course, to the British people it’s a perfect excuse to have a party! Let’s take a look at how Dorset celebrated… Read more Jubilations in Dorset!
The Dorset History Centre is fortunate to hold the Pleydell-Railston of Whatcombe Archive. This family archive contains the journals, note-books and letters of Captain Robert Carter Oakley, who was born in Wimborne in 1795, and who served with the 20th Regiment of Foot. His journals paint a vibrant picture of a 19th century soldier’s life.… Read more The Journal of Captain Oakley
RHS Chelsea Flower Show (24th – 28th May 2022), formerly known as the Great Spring Show is back this year after being cancelled in 2020 and moved to September in 2021 due to pandemic restrictions. “The world’s greatest flower show reveals cutting-edge garden design, fabulous floral displays and simply the best shopping.” Horticultural specialists, plant nurseries and designers from… Read more Stewarts of Ferndown: The First Garden Centre in Britain
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