History

The Museum began by collecting natural history and archaeology. Literature, fine art, textiles and costume, local history and photography collections grew over time – and the Thomas Hardy collection was a major bequest in 1937. Today the Museum looks after an incredible four million objects.

The first shield belongs to Rev. C. W. Bingham who was secretary of the Museum between 1846 and 1882. The second shield belongs to Lord Ashley who was Earl of Shaftesbury and President of the Museum between 1846 and 1885. The third shield belongs to Robert Williams from Tyneham who was the treasurer of the Museum from 1879 to 1928 and who donated the site of the George Inn where the museum stands today.

Paranormal

15 years ago staff and customers started to hear a wailing spectral lady on the main stairs she has been heard many times. No one knows who she is or why she is there. The sighting of a ghostly woman has also been seen at the top of the library staircase by the wife of a former caretaker who lived above the museum. Part of Dorset museum was previously the George Inn, perhaps the weeping is a previous land lady, or perhaps she is the white lady.

The ghost of John white can be seen a victor in the old rectory part of the museum. A heavy feeling around the Thomas Hardy exhibit and round his orginal writing desk.

There seemed to be a cold feel to the panelled sitting room where most of the wooden panelling came from the abandoned village of Tyneham in Dorset.

Join us to investigate this amazing museum which seems to be a hidden gem.