Collection: Beaminster Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  The collections have evolved steadily throughout the relatively brief lifetime of the museum. There have been many different donors, but no major single benefactor. Virtually none of the artefacts have any significant commercial value, and no artefact has ever been singled out as ‘key’ in any way. There have been no notable disposals either.

  An informal relationship with Natural England led to the museum becoming some years ago a de facto partner in the public display of fossils from Horn Park Quarry.

  In recent years increasing emphasis has been laid on acquiring heritage-related information, even when unsupported by actual artefacts in the collections.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2024

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  Defined area

  The Permanent Collection consists of objects and images relating to Beaminster and local parishes and villages including Broadwindsor, Burstock, Chedington, South Perrott, Corscombe, Toller Whelme, Halstock, Hooke, Mapperton, Mosterton, Netherbury, Seaborough, Salway Ash, Thorncombe and Stoke Abbott.

  These parishes are defined in the 2007 map of Dorset Museums catchment areas.

  The Support Collections comprise objects and images which, although not accessioned, have been accepted into the Museum for the purposes of reference and research, education activities and for display purposes.

  Agriculture

  Historically the main occupation of the area was agriculture and this is represented by a collection of agricultural implements and small machinery.

  Archaeology

  Archaeological material includes tesserae from the Romano-British villa at Halstock, a Roman coin (see (2.5.9) 8.3.9. -Numismatics), and small finds from other periods.

  Archives

  The collection includes documents and ephemera relating to local organisations and institutions. A number of important items have been deposited at the Dorset History Centre, including Beaminster Congregation Church records: registers, minute books and accounts.

  Costumes & Textiles

  The collection comprises women’s’ clothing, mainly from the Victorian period; a bandsman’s uniform of the Beaminster Brass Band; a nurse’s uniform; Second World War items including Home Guard, Women’s Land Army and AFS, and a tank suit; 1950s wedding dress; Brownie uniform.

  Decorative & Applied Art

  A silver teapot and jug given by Beaminster inhabitants to a parish Overseer of the Poor in 1834; banners for the Primrose League Beaminster Habitation No. 359 and the Melplash Women’s Institute; a marble memorial to a prominent local non-conformist, James Daniel; silver goblet awarded at Beaminster Poultry Show 1892; bas relief by David Keech; aisle decorations from Holy Trinity Church.

  Fine Art

  An early 20th century portrait in oil of a Beaminster benefactor, Peter Meech, by Victor Horsburgh; prints of local buildings and views including St. Mary’s Church by Abel Bugler, a local artist; a painting by Dr Lake.

  Geology

  A collection of ammonites and other fossils from Horn Park Quarry.

  Medical

  A 19th century domestic medicine chest; manuscript will of an 18th century Beaminster doctor, William Dunning.

  Music

  An early 19th century chamber organ originally belonging to the Congregational Church (still played on appropriate occasions); drums and tuba from the Beaminster Band.

  Numismatics

  A Roman coin AD77-78; two 17th century trade tokens issued by local tradesmen; sack tokens; medals presented for school attendance and for leisure activities; military badges and insignia.

  Personalia

  Personal items associated with prominent local persons including Richard Hine, chemist, photographer and historian.

  Photography

  A collection of images of local places, people and events, including images taken by Beaminster photographers Richard Hine and WH Guppy.

  Social History

  A major part of the Permanent Collection consists of objects associated with the commercial heritage of Beaminster and the nearby villages, including shops, businesses and trades and local industry. Objects relating to domestic life, religion, schools, sports and leisure also form an important part of the collection.

  SUPPORT COLLECTIONS

  • (a) Items held within the Support Collections are not accessioned and therefore do not form part of the Museum’s Permanent Collection.
  • (b) A Photographic Support Collection contains digital copies of original images loaned to the Museum for the purpose of display and/or as reference material.
  • (c) An Education Support Collection contains objects and images to enhance learning within the Museum or for outreach activities.
  • (d) An Oral History Collection comprises recorded reminiscences by local people.
  • (e) The Reference Section comprises books and written materials, maps and information reference files.
  • (f) The Flax & Hemp display contains several artefacts purchased or commissioned for the purpose, but which are non-accessionable for a variety of reasons.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2024

  Licence: CC BY-NC