Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, Dorchester

Grade II-listed Dorset Museum is an independent museum and art gallery and one of the county’s pre-eminent cultural and heritage organisations. The museum has a long history of recording and conserving Dorset’s heritage.

Following a substantial multi-million pound grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Dorset Museum has realised and delivered a major redevelopment of the site.

Acheson were thrilled with the award of this very special local heritage project that has now transformed the site into a leading, contemporary cultural and heritage centre.

The Victorian Hall and other existing spaces have been carefully and extensively refurbished, and an impressive new in-fill building that doubles the museum’s floor space has been added as part of the main contract 2 works.

A suite of new galleries displaying collections of national and international importance has been constructed and there is a specially created, publicly visible space for volunteers and researchers to work on the collection allowing visitors to get a unique behind the scenes glimpse into museum life.

The project was funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, the museum itself and public donations and was over 10 years in the planning. This important heritage contract generated a lot of national interest, even the attention of Prince Richard the Duke of Gloucester who was welcomed to site during the enabling works contract and given a tour by Museum Director Jon Murden and Acheson Director Colin Johnson.

The museum is located on a land locked site along High West Street in Dorchester, Dorset and is group of buildings in which several have had a grade 2 listings status since 1975. The initial scope for the renovation works was the demolition and dismantling of various elements in preparation for the main construction works, this was part of contract 1 – the enabling works.

During demolition works, many of the listed building features such as masonry were carefully removed and retained for installation within the new structure.

Matching the masonry for repairs to existing structures was part of the enabling works brief along with using lime mortar to match existing mortar bed joints.

Works were carried out in a safe and sensitive manner with due consideration given to the condition of the buildings and in accordance with the Grade 2 listing status. This project was regularly attended by the local Conservation Officer to ensure works were carried out to the highest standard and with the upmost care.

Lord Fellowes who has been a huge supporter and patron of the Museum placed the final brick in the new building and recently become President of The Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society (DNHAS).

Since its completion, the project has won a host of Tourism awards and continues to scoop the top prizes in 2024. Dorset Museum is celebrated as one of the best heritage attractions in England.

See inside this exciting space with the home page video tour here.

Category: Leisure