archives

Archives – what they are and what you can do with them?

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During this period where many of us are in effect house-bound, we thought that it would be useful to revisit the basis on which the Dorset History Centre (DHC) was established in 1955 – i.e. to preserve and make accessible archives and to ask the question ‘what are archives?’ and ‘why should we keep them?’… Read more Archives – what they are and what you can do with them?

The Arrival of the Black Death in Dorset

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The current coronavirus pandemic has brought home to us all how fragile human health can be and also how our lifestyles and assumptions can be completely disrupted by an event of this type. Dorset History Centre holds over 1,000 years of records relating to our county and we thought that it would be appropriate to… Read more The Arrival of the Black Death in Dorset

Covid-19 – help DHC to record this unprecedented event for future historians of Dorset

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There are two ways in which we would invite the public to help to capture the experience and impact of the coronavirus pandemic in Dorset.  Firstly, it is clear that we are living through highly unusual times and Dorset History Centre, working in partnership with Lighthouse, Poole would like to make sure that our experiences… Read more Covid-19 – help DHC to record this unprecedented event for future historians of Dorset

The Frink Archive at Dorset History Centre – an update

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Dorset History Centre has been lucky enough to be gifted the archive of Dame Elisabeth Frink, one of Britain’s foremost modern sculptors – this was provided to DHC in accordance with the wishes of the artist’s late son Lin Jammet.  Work to catalogue the archive has been underway since October and you will hear from the archivist undertaking… Read more The Frink Archive at Dorset History Centre – an update

Review of the Year

Dorset History Centre – Year in Review 2021

2021 was a year of adapting to live with Covid as the vaccine roll-out and warmer weather increased public confidence to come out and to return to places like DHC.  The team has worked hard to make the building a safe and welcoming place and has continued to work on a wide range of activities as our Year in Review document shows.  We continue to receive significant quantities of important records and to see increased access to archives via our web services and through remote enquiries.  Thanks to our supporters in Dorset Archives Trust, we have been able to acquire important archives for the public collection.  We value your feedback on the services DHC provides and hope that 2022 offers greater opportunities to provide access to collections and heritage here in Dorset.

With best wishes

Sam Johnston

Service Manager for Archives and Records

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Beales – archives of an iconic retailer saved for posterity!

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Beales department store in Bournemouth in Hampshire, now Dorset, was founded in 1881 on the Old Christchurch Road.  Initially know as the ‘Fancy Fair and Oriental House’, the shop grew into one of the landmark buildings and brands in Bournemouth.  Generations of Beales headed up the company, one of whom, Frank Beale (d. 2001) went to train at Macy’s in New… Read more Beales – archives of an iconic retailer saved for posterity!