Bridport Museum & Local History Centre

Description:

On display at the Museum are artefacts and stories that make up the history of Bridport  and the surrounding areas of West Dorset. Bridport's history is chronicled over the past 2000 years, including Roman artefacts from Waddon Hill, Bridport's famous rope making past, the Bridport Railway, Ship building and Fishing industries, and the local characters of times past.

Bridport has been the world's foremost exponent of quality rope and net making. The majority of hangman's nooses used in England were made in the town as well as the 66 world cup net, and Wimbledon tennis nets. A thriving industry continues in the town to this day.

As well as the permanent displays, there is a programme of temporary exhibitions. Photographs, costume, lace, dolls, numismatics, and fine art are among the collections held by the museum.

The Museum also has a Local History Centre across the street in Gundry Lane housing a wide range of materials for people wishing to research their local family history.

Through donations, purchases and bequests the Museum has built up a collection of over 20,000 Images of Bridport and the surrounding area,  which are available for viewing at the Local History Centre, open from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm year round each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The works of Walter Stephens, a local photographer, are on display showing life at the turn of the century.

The Museums art collections bring the visitor the works of Henry Walton, a talented 19th century painter who recorded fabulous scenes of Dorset life at that time.

The Museum also has a Jurassic Coast  gallery with over £10,000 of new local fossils purchased through the Heritage Lottery Fund together with an interactive learning centre.

In 2002 after 28 years of ownership West Dorset District Council  handed over the building, collections and staff to the Bridport Museum Trust which now manages the Museum.

The collections housed at the Museum are, Agriculture & Rural Life, Archaeology, Archive, Costume & Textiles, Decorative Art, Dr.Robert's Apothecary Shop, Dolls, Fine Art Collection, Firearms, Geology, Industry, Natural History, Numismatics, Photography, Rope & Net Making and Social History.