Four free guided tours will provide a rare opportunity to explore areas of the centre that are not usually open to the public. People can learn how Dorset’s archives are cared for and hear about ambitious plans to protect the county’s heritage for future generations.

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

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

Tours will take place on:

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

Places are limited, so advance booking is essential. The 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 local 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 council’s 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 Dorset History Centre. Plans include 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’s 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 until late 2027, with opportunities for local people to get involved through volunteering, consultation activities and public engagement events.