Visitors will see behind the scenes at Dorset History Centre. Picture: Dorset Council

Dorset history buffs can get a glimpse behind the scenes during special archive tours

Paul JonesAugust 12, 20260 Comment0

HISTORY buffs can go behind the scenes and find out ore about how Dorset’s past is documented during a special event next month.

As part of Heritage Week, the Dorset History Centre is opening its doors to give visitors the chance to see areas not usually open to the public.

Four, free guided tours will give people an insight into how Dorset’s archives are cared for, while hearing about “ambitious plans to protect the county’s heritage for future generations”, organsiers said.

Based in Bridport Road, Dorchester, the Dorset History Centre is the county’s archive service, preserving millions of documents, photographs, maps and records that tell the story of the county and its communities, helping residents, schools, researchers and groups discover and share the details.

During the Heritage Week events, visitors will discover more about the centre’s collections, see archives stored on 8.5 miles of shelving and learn about the specialist work carried out in the conservation studio.

Tours of Dorset History Centre will take place on:

Tuesday, September 15, at 10.30am and 2pm
Saturday, September 19, at 10am and 11.30am

Places are limited, so advance booking is essential. Free tickets can be booked at ticketsource.com/dorset-history-centre.

Visitors will also be able to find out more about Past Lives, Future Proofed, a major project designed to secure the future of Dorset’s archives and improve access to county heritage.

Dorset Council has approved the next stage of the project and reaffirmed its commitment by allocating £540,000 of capital funding towards the scheme.

The investment will help unlock further external funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which has already awarded £603,000 for the project’s development phase.

Other donors have also added to the fund, including £10,000 from Dorchester Town Council.

If successful, a future funding application could secure a total investment of more than £5 million in the Dorset History Centre for plans including creating around 30 years of additional archive storage capacity, improving environmental conditions to protect internationally-significant collections, upgrading public areas and creating more opportunities for learning, volunteering and community involvement.

Cllr Richard Biggs, Dorset Council deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, economic growth and strategic assets, said: “Dorset History Centre looks after some of the county’s most important historical records and helps people connect with the stories that have shaped our communities.

“Dorset Council has committed £540,000 to this project because we recognise the importance of protecting these collections and making them more accessible for local people.

“Our investment is helping to attract millions of pounds of external funding into Dorset, creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve public access to our shared heritage while protecting nationally significant collections for decades to come.”

The development phase is expected to last around 18 months, running until late 2027, with opportunities for people to get involved through volunteering, consultation activities and public engagement events, the service said.