Events

The Dorset Archives Trust (DAT) events programme, with expert speakers,
delivers a treasure trove of fascinating stories from Dorset’s rich history and
hidden past linked to the archives held by the Dorset History Centre.

Tickets for evening talks are £10 for members and £12 for non-members, online events are charged at £5.

An Annual Summer event is held in July at a different fantastic venue around the county.
Different charges apply to the Summer Gala so please see event information for more details - 
the ticket price includes a talk, strawberries and fizz.

Booking for DAT events is through Ticketsource,
please see the information below for further details on each event.

Pumps, Pipes and Privies: A Talk by Philip Browne

10^th Sep 2026 The introduction of clean drinking water and a sewerage system to Dorchester in the 1850s. With its polluted wells, cesspools and stinking privies, Dorchester was an unhealthy place at the start of the 19th century. Yet, even when faced with the threat of cholera, not everybody welcomed the prospect of piped drinking water or flush toilets. In this talk, Philip Browne will describe the battle t ... click for more

A Ship, A Gate and a Country Estate: A Talk by Steve Richardson

3^rd Oct 2026 A wander through some of Dorset's imperial connections. In researching Dorset’s maritime heritage Steve Richardson stumbled across Bridport's history as a major centre of shipbuilding in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Its importance was such that ships for the Royal Navy were built there. Following the details of one Bridport-built ship led to a chain of connections which linked Dorset to ... click for more

Closing the Somerset and Dorset Railway: 1951-1967. A Talk by Colin Divall. ONLINE.

5^th Nov 2026 Back by popular demand! An opportunity to hear Colin's "sold out" talk which he previously gave in March 2026. Colin Divall is Professor Emeritus of Railway Studies at the University of York. 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the closure of the Somerset and Dorset Railway. The Somerset & Dorset’s closure in March 1966 was one of the most bitterly fought of the Beeching cuts in the Sou ... click for more

If you have information on an interesting historical subject relating to Dorset and its archives, please contact us. In order to support the work of the Dorset Archives Trust, we generally do not pay a speaker fee, but reasonable expenses may be available. There will be refreshments at the event and you will receive a warm welcome. Your time and expertise would be greatly appreciated in helping to ensure the long-term future of the Dorset Archives.

enquiries@dorsetarchivestrust.org