A crowdfunding appeal by Dorset History Centre and partners Dorchester is home to the finest archive of material by and about Thomas Hardy in the world – that is, the primary sources which support and inform any new research into Hardy and his contemporaries. The archive is recognised by UNESCO as a collection of international… Read more Unlocking the Archives of Thomas Hardy – Dorset’s literary giant
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
A recent set of purchases at auction throw new light on our understanding on one of the most prominent figures in Dorset’s history. The purchases were funded by Friends of the National Libraries with a contribution from Dorset Archives Trust. DHC was delighted to be able to acquire these items which will now form part… Read more The life and death 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
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)
The purchase in December 2020 of a collection of important documents and printed books relating to Thomas Hardy was one of the highlights of last year – a year in which it was at times difficult to feel optimistic. In an earlier blog, parts of the collection were described and we will now examine other items which cast… Read more Thomas Hardy – exploring a new collection (part 2)
Thanks to the generosity of donors including the V&A purchase fund and the Friends of the National Libraries , DHC was fortunate enough to acquire a substantial new collection of material created by or relating to Dorset’s literary titan Thomas Hardy. We thought that it would be good to share a little more information about the purchase and to explain a little more about why… Read more Thomas Hardy – exploring a new collection (part 1)
Amongst a collection of items belonging to Dorset County Museum, that were brought to the Dorset History Centre for conservation, were two music books. One belonged to Thomas Hardy’s father, and the other his grandfather (who were both also called Thomas). These books are fascinating examples of home-made bindings, with atypical sewing and making use… Read more Repairing the Music Books of Thomas Hardy
Wednesday 24th June 2020 is Midsummer’s Day and the Feast of St John the Baptist. It is a celebration that has links to the old summer solstice festivities, although it occurs a few days after the longest day, which usually falls on the 20th or 21st of June. Traditional celebrations for Midsummer began at sunset… Read more A Dorset Midsummer
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