The Priest's House Museum & Garden, 23-27 High Street, Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 1HR
01202 882533  priestshouse@eastdorset.gov.uk

Latest News & Events

Museum to close for birthday celebrations on 31 July

Posted on 07 Feb 2012
The museum will close for the day on the 31 July as it celebrates its 50th birthday.

Hilda Coles, granddaughter of the ironmonger who opened a shop in the building in 1872, founded a museum here, with Wimborne Historical Society, 90 years later.  On a Tuesday in July the public were treated to displays of archaeology, unsold shop stock from a stationer’s, a penny-farthing bicycle previously owned by Lord Wimborne and agricultural tools.

Valentine cards in print

Posted on 07 Feb 2012
The February edition of Dorset magazine has a three-page feature on the museum’s Victorian Valentine collection.

The former stationer’s premises in the Priest’s House, latterly run by John Low, were taken over by the Coles family from 1904, who had established an ironmonger’s shop in part of the building.  When Thomas Frank Coles explored the contents of the shop, he discovered its considerable stock intact.  This included a large collection of Victorian Valentine cards, as offered for sale across the counter.

Valentine card makers produced some of their most beautiful work during the 1840s.  Invariably there would be a decorated border, with beautiful embossing around the edge.  In the middle would be found a hand coloured or printed picture, or, on occasion, a small puzzle purse which when opened would reveal an expression of everlasting love or a small romantic image.  Not all Valentine cards were sentimental or loving; some were very humorous or even designed expressly to wound.

The museum’s collection of over 400 cards, most of which date between 1820 and the 1870s, has some wonderful examples of both and is of national importance.

New exhibitions for 2012

Posted on 07 Feb 2012
The museum celebrates its 50th birthday on the 31 July this year.  Hilda Coles, granddaughter of the ironmonger who opened a shop in the building in 1872, founded a museum here, with Wimborne Historical Society, 90 years later.  On a Tuesday in July the public were treated to displays of archaeology, unsold shop stock from a stationer’s, a penny-farthing bicycle previously owned by Lord Wimborne and agricultural tools.

To help mark this occasion and Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee, the museum will reopen with two new exhibitions on the 2 April, ‘Let’s Celebrate’ and ’60 Years of Fashion’.  Celebrations have been and still are a very important part of life, a chance for families and communities to come together.  People celebrate for many different reasons - the birth of a child, royal occasions, national events, sporting achievements, local traditions and the changing seasons.

The streets of Wimborne were decorated for a royal visit in 1867 and for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897.  Processions were held to mark the coronations of Edward VII in 1902, George VI in 1937 and our present Queen in 1952.

When news of the Armistice reached Colehill on the morning of the 11 November 1918, the bells of the village church were rung to announce that the war was over.  This was followed by an impromptu Thanksgiving Service.  Similarly on VE Day in 1945 a children’s party was held at Penrose Road in Ferndown.

In 1951 the country celebrated the Festival of Britain.  The population of Wimborne Minster joined in these celebrations with church services, sporting events and a schools’ day.  The celebrations came to an end with an historical pageant at Redcotts Recreation Ground.

Often the most enjoyable celebrations are local village festivities.  Every year across Dorset there are long-running traditions of village fetes, carnivals and fairs.  Popular features include parades, bands, fancy dress competitions, carnival queens and maypole dancing.

Building work begins

Posted on 05 Dec 2011

Construction work on the Priest’s House Museum’s Open Learning Centre is now well underway.  This follows initial clearance of the site in April and an extremely successful community archaeological dig, with over 700 volunteers taking part.

Matrod Frampton has been appointed to undertake the building work.  The company is a local family-run building contractor based at Holtwood, which has been working in this area for over 60 years. 

Mike Carter, Chairman of the Priest’s House Museum Trust, said: “The Trust is delighted that Matrod Frampton have been appointed, especially as they are a very local company with an excellent reputation.  The project is now entering a very exciting period.”

Matrod Frampton said: “We are pleased to have been awarded this contract giving employment to local people and contributing to a building that will benefit the community of Wimborne and East Dorset”.

A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other funding will allow the Priest’s House Museum Trust to build a new building in the grounds of the museum.  It will house collection stores, a multi-functional learning space, a new tearoom and visitor facilities.  The new centre will house the museum’s collections - a unique resource that is used to deliver lifelong learning and community engagement programmes.  The Open Learning Centre will ensure that the collections are cared for in the right environment.  It will also allow opportunities for members of the community to engage with caring for the collections, to receive training and to develop new skills.

about_olc_model_sm.jpgThe museum wishes not only to provide improved accessible storage, but also to make available more space for the museum’s award winning learning service and to improve visitor facilities.  This in turn will ease pressure on the main building, as well as freeing up space within it to develop new galleries and to re-interpret the historic building.

The museum works closely with all sectors of the community.  The museum currently has over 150 volunteers, whose ages range from 14 to over 90!  The Trust particularly wishes to develop stronger links with young people, and people with physical and mental disabilities.  It sees the enhancement and development of community participation in the museum through volunteering, learning and family activity programmes as the greatest benefits of the project.

The Open Learning Centre will allow the museum to become a cultural centre for Wimborne and the district.  It will bring people of all ages, abilities and from differing social groups together.  It will also contribute to the economic well-being of the town and beyond by attracting more tourists.

See the Open Learning Centre page for more details.

Priest’s House diggers receive Award

Posted on 11 Jul 2011

The Priest’s House Museum’s community archaeological dig has won the Dorset Archaeological Committee’s Archaeological Award.  At the ceremony representatives from the museum were presented with the Award.

This year the Priest’s House Museum Trust has begun work on a new Open Learning Centre, a timber framed storey and half building in the grounds of the museum in Wimborne Minster.  It will house collection stores, a multi-functional learning space, a new tearoom and visitor facilities.  The project has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, other charities, local authorities and individuals.

Prior to planning permission being granted last year, two trial trenches were excavated.  The archaeologists uncovered an array of domestic items from green-glazed medieval pottery fragments, many from Verwood, to 18th and 19th century glass bottles.  Animal bones and oyster shells were also found.

In May 2011 the museum began working with professional archaeologists and volunteers from the local community, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, to complete a full excavation of the site before building work commenced.  Volunteers were trained in archaeological techniques, from digging to sieving, finds washing, drawing and data recording.  The dig has been a great success with over 700 volunteers taking part, from local schoolchildren to families and members of the local community.  A selection of the artefacts that they have found are on display in the museum and a travelling display will be going out to local venues.

Emma Ayling, the museum’s curator said: “I am delighted to announce that the museum's ‘Dig It!’ community archaeological project has won the Dorset Archaeological Award for outstanding contribution to the county's archaeology.  To be nominated is a great honour.  The ‘Dig It!’ project was up against nine other high profile projects.  The judges were particularly impressed with the community involvement; over 700 children and adults have had the opportunity to experience an archaeological dig, but most importantly they have been able to contribute to enhancing and developing knowledge of the district's heritage.”

‘Dig It!’ Community Open Day

Posted on 03 Jun 2011

On Saturday 9 July the Priest’s House Museum in Wimborne Minster will be holding a Community Open Day from 10am to 4pm.  The event will be officially opened by the Chairman of East Dorset District Council, Cllr Derek Burt, and the Mayor of Wimborne, Cllr Robin Cook, at 10.30am.  Admission is FREE. 

The museum was recently awarded a grant of £442,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.  This will enable the Priest’s House Museum Trust to build a new Open Learning Centre, which will be opened in summer 2012 just in time to celebrate the museum’s 50th birthday.

Before the Open Learning Centre was granted planning permission the museum carried out a preliminary archaeological investigation in September and October last year.  A wide range of artefacts were excavated including fragments of Roman and medieval pottery, animal bone and clay pipe.

The ‘Dig It!’ project, also funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, was commenced at the end of April and will continue through until the middle of July, and will provide a record of the whole site to be covered by the new building.  Almost 100 volunteers have been assisting the archaeologists, excavating, and cleaning and recording the finds.

The Community Open Day will be a great opportunity for the local community to meet and ask questions of the experts who have been working on the site.  Visitors will be able to discover how the museum cares for its collections, how exhibitions are designed and developed, the outreach and community engagement work it undertakes, and the inspiring activities offered to schools.  Find out about opportunities to volunteer and other ways to support the museum.  The Friends of the Priest’s House Museum will also have a stand.

This is also a chance to share your views with the museum, helping to shape its future plans.  Emma Ayling, the museum’s curator said: “At the very heart of our work is the desire to include and involve the whole community in their local museum.  The past helps to foster a sense of place and pride, benefiting young and old alike.  Their opinions and support will make a real difference, and ensure that the museum will continue to serve them for many generations to come.”

The Big Dig

Posted on 15 Mar 2011

The Priest’s House Museum in Wimborne Minster will be holding a community archaeological dig from the end of April to the end of June.  This is a fantastic opportunity for the community of Wimborne Minster and the surrounding area to get hands-on with archaeology and assist the museum in excavating the site of the new Open Learning Centre. 

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded a grant of £442,000 to the Priest’s House Museum Trust’s Open Learning Centre project.  The award will allow the Priest’s House Museum Trust to build a timber framed storey and half building in the grounds of the museum.  It will house collection stores, a multi-functional learning space, a new tearoom and visitor facilities.  The HLF grant has also funded the archaeological dig.

The museum carried out a preliminary archaeological investigation of the site, down one side of the garden, in September and October last year.  A selection of the finds will be on display in the museum from the beginning of April, including fragments of Roman and medieval pottery, Victorian clay pipes, and window glass.

The full archaeological excavation will provide a record of the whole site to be covered by the new building.  Members of the community who would like to take part will be trained in archaeological techniques and will then work alongside professional archaeologists.  If you do not like the thought of digging there are plenty of other jobs that the museum needs assistance with, e.g. sieving, finds washing, drawing, data recording and generally helping out, to name just a few.

Museum celebrates Heritage Lottery success

Posted on 06 Jan 2011

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded a grant of £442,000 to the Priest’s House Museum Trust’s Open Learning Centre project, it was announced today. 

The award will allow the Trust to build a timber framed storey and a half building in the grounds of the museum.  It will house collection stores, a multi-functional learning space, a new tearoom and visitor facilities.  The new centre will house the museum’s collections - a unique resource that is used to deliver lifelong learning and community engagement programmes.  The Open Learning Centre will ensure that the collections are cared for in the right environment.  It will also allow opportunities for members of the community to engage with caring for the collections, to receive training and to develop new skills.

The museum has outgrown its capacity to meet the demands for its service.  It wishes not only to provide improved accessible storage, but also to make available more space for the museum’s award winning learning service and to improve visitor facilities.  This in turn will ease pressure on the main building, as well as freeing up space within it to develop new galleries and to re-interpret the historic building.

The museum works closely with all sectors of the community.  The museum currently has over 150 volunteers, whose ages range from 14 to over 90!  The Trust particularly wishes to develop stronger links with young people, and people with physical and mental disabilities.  Therefore, the Trust sees the greatest benefits of the project as the enhancement and development of community participation in the museum through volunteering, learning and family activity programmes.

The Open Learning Centre will allow the museum to become a cultural centre for Wimborne Minster and the district.  It will bring people of all ages, abilities and from differing social groups together.  It will also contribute to the economic well-being of the town and beyond by attracting more tourists.

Commenting on the award, Emma Ayling, the museum’s curator said: “This is a wonderful way to start the New Year.  This project is about protecting and conserving the unique heritage of East Dorset for future generations to experience, to enjoy and learn from.  As the museum approaches its 50th birthday, the Trust can celebrate it by ensuring that the community of East Dorset is engaged with and inspired by the museum and its collections for the next 50 years!  We are extremely grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund and to all the charitable foundations both national and local, East Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council, and the generosity of many local people, who have worked towards making this project a reality.”

Nerys Watts, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund South West said:

“The Open Learning Centre will be a fantastic resource for local people and visitors alike.  The collections and activities will give real insight into the history of the surrounding area.  The creation of the centre will also provide new opportunities for people from across the community to get involved in the work of the museum, helping to ensure that these collections can be enjoyed by many generations to come.”

Cllr Spencer Flower, Leader of East Dorset District Council said:

“I am delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the Priest’s House Museum & Garden such a substantial grant.  It is testament to all the hard work that its staff and volunteers have put in over the years.  The finished building, and all it holds, will be a great cultural asset to East Dorset and the Council is proud to support the project.”

Hilary Cox, County Councillor for the Winterborne Division, Community Portfolio Holder, Deputy Leader said:

“Dorset County Council is very pleased to be able to contribute £25,000 towards the £800,000 development at the Priest’s House Museum, Wimborne.  This demonstrates how committed Dorset County Council is to helping attract large amounts of external funding into the County which will benefit residents and visitors.

“This exceptional project, funded in the main by the Heritage Lottery Fund, will provide a new learning centre for the museum which will provide many new opportunities for the local community and local schools.  It will also ensure the preservation of the museum’s collections in a new storage area which will be open for museum visitors.”