At-Home New Dorset Museum
The Dorset County Museum has been transformed by an exciting redevelopment, facilitated by a grant of £10.3m from the Heritage National Lottery, and opens in Dorchester under its new name of ‘The Dorset Museum’ hopefully early in the New Year. (There is a 30 minute video setting out its plans.) Although the ‘At Home – New Dorset Museum’ group will not be organizing visits there – these will be up to individual members – we will spend the whole of 2021 studying the key features and exhibits the new Museum has to offer…. covering one, two or three of the main exhibits per month. These will include newly acquired exhibits by Elisabeth Frink, and new recently-discovered letters written by Thomas Hardy’s second wife that give a new insight into their marriage.
Our study will be via desk research on the internet; from bulletins released by the Dorset Museum, its detailed website and any special inputs by them to our group; plus insights from previous employees/volunteers who worked there.
We have so far studied the Whitcombe Warrior and the Wreck of the Halsewell, (1786), (using Philip Browne’s book ‘The Unfortunate Captain Peirce’ following the talks he has given to U3A) and in December/January are studying Elisabeth Frink’s works.
A small group is forming – please contact john.grantham4@btinternet.com if you would like to join the group. Places.