A newsletter for Dorset History Centre, the Historic Environment Record, Portable Antiquities Scheme, and Dorset Archives Trust: working together to support the preservation of Dorset's history.
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Join in this April!
** Welcome to April's newsletter!
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We frequently say that things have been busy here at Dorset History Centre, and this month really is no exception. Amongst other things, as you saw in our last newsletter, Thomas Hardy Project Archivist Ruth has now joined us and is getting up-to-speed with the collection.
Elsewhere, in this bumper newsletter, we have a whole range of things for you to get involved with, including:
* Take part and scratch those grey cells in a history quiz
* Join Dorset Archives Trust for a fascinating talk about the history of Bournemouth
* Learn more about Mary Spencer-Watson
* Apply for one of our work experience positions this summer
* Learn more about archaeology from the History Environment Record team
* The usual photograph for you to identify
* And social media updates...
** Dorset History Centre Spring Quiz
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Do you enjoy testing your knowledge of Dorset history with our monthly photos? Well then we have the event for you! Put your thinking caps on and get ready for a night of friendly competition and historical trivia at Dorset History Centre
Join us on Thursday 2 May at 7pm at the Dorset History Centre for a fun and challenging quiz night. Come and test your knowledge with friends and family at a lively in-person event.
Teams should be of no more than 6 people. Tickets cost £6.00 and can be purchased from the link below.
Book your tickets here!
** Joining the dots:
Bournemouth transport in the 1920s
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Find out more and book your tickets here
** Remembering Mary Spencer Watson
(1913-2006)
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A new, recently launched website
is now owned by the Landmark Trust.
Mary, daughter of artist George Spencer Watson and dancer and mime artist Hilda was well known in the area for her skill in stonecutting, frequently visiting local quarries to select stone from which to produce a significant number of pieces, many of which now sit in collections across the UK.
The site contains a pictorial timeline showing some of the sculptor’s most notable works.
The Mary Spencer Watson archive (D-MSW , rich in photographic material is available to consult at Dorset History Centre.
Discover more about Mary Spencer Watson here
** Work experience at Dorset History Centre
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Are you an undergraduate student wanting to learn more about how Archives work?
Would you like to join us for four weeks this summer?
We are looking for two enthusiastic students to join us in June and July this year to learn about how archives work behind-the-scenes.
If this sounds like something you, or someone you know, might be interested in, then please get in touch! We will then send you information about the placement, and details of how to apply.
Contact us about the Work Experience placements
** Dorset Archaeological Days 2024
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This year’s Dorset Archaeological Days programme is taking shape, with the first few events now live on the website. These include:
Creech Barrow Hill, Saturday 13 April, 1pm.
Join Ben Buxton of Wareham Museum on this walk and find out about recent discoveries about sites and features ranging from the Bronze Age to World War Two.
World War Two archaeology at Studland – the anti-invasion years 1940-41, Sunday 21 April, 10.30am.
Studland was a prime location for a German invasion during World War Two. Plans and photographs reveal the locations of the anti-invasion defences that can still be seen in the landscape. Led by Pam White of the National Trust.
These walks are free to attend, but booking is required for both events.
Find out more and book your spot!
** Do you know where this picture is?
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In our last Thomas Hardy-themed newsletter, we shared this picture and challenged you to identify where it was taken. A number of our readers were quick to identify that this a photograph of Mill Street, Fordington; which inspired Mixen Lane in Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge.
As always, thank-you to everyone who got in touch with guesses!
This time we have this postcard from the early 20th Century. As usual, if you think you know where this image was taken, then get in touch!
We will share the answer with you in the next newsletter!
Where was this picture taken?
** Social media updates
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It has been a busy month on our blog and X (formerly Twitter) channels, and we have shared various stories, including:
* An introduction to the three apprentices working for Dorset History Centre and Records Management at Dorset Council.
* Weirdness from Collections Weeks
* What's in a name?
On Twitter, we shared the stories of various important Dorset women for International Women's Day on 8 March:
* Dame Elisabeth Frink
* Winifrede Marsden OBE
* Mary Anning
* Violet Maud Hutchings
* Sylvia Townsend Warner
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