Social History Store Tour at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery

Join our collections team for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of our state-of-the-art Collections Discovery Centre, where we focus on the social history collections that reveal how people in Dorset have lived, worked, and shaped their communities over time.

At Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, we care for over 4 million objects. The Collections Discovery Centre is where those not currently on display are carefully stored in conditions that preserve them for the future. It's also where our dedicated conservation and curatorial teams undertake important work to protect and understand our collections.

On this tour, you'll explore our social history collections – from everyday domestic objects and working life artefacts to community records and personal stories. You'll visit our Conservation Studio, discover recently acquired pieces that add new chapters to Dorset's social history, and learn more about the ongoing work to catalogue and care for these treasures.

Families are welcome, and wheelchair users can easily access the facility.

Timings

Sunday 13 September:

11:00am - 12:00pm & 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Location & directions

Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, 66 High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA

Directions:

The nearest substantial car park is the Top o’ Town Car Park, located just beyond the roundabout at the top of High West Street (what3words: promoted.spruced.simmer). From the car park, it’s a five-minute walk (500 metres) to the Museum (what3words: overheard.holidays.blurs). Dorchester has two railway stations (Dorchester South and Dorchester West), both of which are less than 12 minutes’ walk from Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.

Contact on day:

Dorset Museum & Art Gallery

Telephone number:

+441305262735

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Tickets include day entry to the Museum. Spaces limited to 12 participants.

Booking website:

https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/?fwp_event_topic=heritage-open-days

Booking opens:

24 Aug 2026 09:00 AM

Additional information

Max number of people:

12

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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