archives

Conservation Tales: Glass plates of Thomas Hardy

Conservation Trainee Helen has been working on various things during her period with us at Dorset History Centre. In this post, she takes a look at some interesting glass plate negatives… — Dorset History Centre has recently acquired a new set of glass plate negatives, mainly of Thomas Hardy. As part of my placement here… Read more Conservation Tales: Glass plates of Thomas Hardy

Cooking the Books – Dorset Apple Cake

If you asked someone for a food associated with Dorset, you might get the following responses Dorset Knobs, Dorset Blue Vinney, Portland Pudding, Dorset Horn, the Dorset Naga… Chances are though that the most popular response would be Dorset Apple Cake. The Dorset poet William Barnes mentions an apple cake of sorts in his poem… Read more Cooking the Books – Dorset Apple Cake

Thomas Hardy – exploring a new collection (part 3)

The collection of Hardy-related material acquired in late 2020 offers some fascinating insights into Hardy’s world and the eclectic range of contacts and correspondents he maintained links with and the wider perspective on Hardy’s life that this important purchase provides.  Below, we look at a few of the stories to have emerged. Hardy the son… Read more Thomas Hardy – exploring a new collection (part 3)

Bastardy records – what are they and what do they tell us?

When researching your family history, you may discover one or two ‘Skeletons’, one possibly being that an ancestor was illegitimate. This is normally discovered when looking at their baptism record where, not only is the mother the only named parent, but the child is recorded as a ‘bastard’ in the register. In the example below,… Read more Bastardy records – what are they and what do they tell us?

Conservation tales: A Conservation trainee

In July, Dorset History Centre welcomed a new trainee Conservator… — Hello to all the blog readers! I’m Helen, a masters conservation student at Cardiff University and I am currently in the middle of an 8 week placement here, at the Dorset History Centre!  As a local girl I was really keen to come back… Read more Conservation tales: A Conservation trainee

Work Experience 2021: Edna Bolton and the importance of oral histories

For three weeks in July 2021 Dorset History Centre has hosted three students undertaking work experience. For obvious reasons, this year has been very different to previous years, with the students having to work remotely for large parts of their time, with the occasional day in the building learning about collections. The students have written… Read more Work Experience 2021: Edna Bolton and the importance of oral histories

Work Experience 2021: The Letters of Richard Gossling

For three weeks in July 2021 Dorset History Centre has hosted three students undertaking work experience. For obvious reasons, this year has been very different to previous years, with the students having to work remotely for large parts of their time, with the occasional day in the building learning about collections. The students have written… Read more Work Experience 2021: The Letters of Richard Gossling

Work Experience 2021: Women’s Institute War Record

For three weeks in July 2021 Dorset History Centre has hosted three students undertaking work experience. For obvious reasons, this year has been very different to previous years, with the students having to work remotely for large parts of their time, with the occasional day in the building learning about collections. The students have written… Read more Work Experience 2021: Women’s Institute War Record