Dorset History Centre
The Dorset History Centre (formerly Dorset Record Office) is the archive service for the county of Dorset, England. It collects, stores, preserves and makes available documents relating to the history of Dorset. It is a local authority archive service, jointly funded by Dorset Council, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, serving both authorities. The oldest document in the archives is from 965 AD.
The Dorset History Centre has scored consistently well in
History
Dorset Record Office was founded in 1955, and based at the County Hall in
Collections
The Dorset History Centre holds a wide range of archive collections created by organisations, families or businesses based in Dorset. It holds records for the
Notable author and artist archives include:
- Thomas Hardy[5]
- Elisabeth Frink[6]
- Sylvia Townsend Warner and Valentine Ackland
- William Barnes
- Reynolds Stone
- Mary Spencer Watson[7]
- John Makepeace
Business archives include:
- Poole Pottery[7]
- Gundry of Bridport, rope makers
- Stewards of Ferndown, plantsmen and garden centre
- Eldridge Pope of Dorchester, brewers
- Cosens of Weymouth, paddle steamer operator
- Beales Department Stores[8]
- Bournemouth Transport Limited/Yellow Buses[9]
Family and estate collections include:
- Bankes family of Kingston Lacy, including the travel papers of William John Bankes[10]
- Fox-Strangways family, Earls of Ilchester
- Weld family of Lulworth Castle
Additionally it holds two library collections. The first is the Local Studies Library, which includes books, magazines and journals on the history of the county on the region. The other is the Dorset Authors Collection – books by (and about) Dorset writers including Thomas Hardy, William Barnes and the Powys brothers.[11]
Services
The Dorset History Centre is open 9am - 5pm Wednesday to Friday and 9am - 4:30pm every first Saturday of the month. There is a by appointment searchroom for requesting and viewing original documents, a microfilm room, library and study areas and computers for public use.[12]
The Dorset History Centre was one of the first archive services to go into partnership with a commercial organisation in order to digitise a significant percentage of its records and make these available online. The first set of Dorset records were released by Ancestry.com in summer 2011.[13]
Aside from its enquiry service, the History Centre also offer talks and group visits, learning sessions for schools or further and higher education bodies, copying of documents and a paid research service for people unable to visit in person.[14] The History Centre also has a conservation lab which supports its preservation objectives.[4]
External links
Notes
- ^ [1], The National Archives Self-Assessment. Accessed 12 August 2011.
- ^ "About us - dorsetforyou.com". Archived from the original on 30 June 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2011., Dorset History Centre, About us. Accessed 12 August 2011.
- ^ https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/5358205.new-dorset-history-centre-opens-doors/
- ^ a b http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2017/11/cold-hard-history/
- ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-68515681
- ^ https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/features/lookingback/18002162.sculptor-behind-towns-iconic-statues-papers-preserved/
- ^ a b https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sector/case-studies-and-research-reports/case-studies/collections-development-and-care/dorset-history-centre-archiving-the-arts/
- ^ https://managingbusinessarchives.co.uk/getting-started/business-archives-risk/successtories/casualty-on-the-high-street-beales-department-stores/
- ^ https://news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/2022/12/08/yellow-buses-archives-saved/
- ^ https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/15704215.dorset-history-centre-unlocking-the-bankes-archive/
- ^ [2], Dorset History Centre, Collections. Accessed 12 August 2011.
- ^ https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/libraries-history-culture/dorset-history-centre/visiting-us/visiting-us
- ^ [3], Dorset History Centre, Ancestry. Accessed 12 August 2011.
- ^ "Services - dorsetforyou.com". Archived from the original on 30 June 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2011., Dorset History Centre, Services. Accessed 12 August 2011.