Weymouth Museum

The Museum is situated on the first floor of Brewers Quay opposite the lift with easy access for all. The Museum is free, but voluntary donations are welcome, and are used to purchase new exhibits and further the work of the museum.

Weymouth Museum was founded in 1972 in the old Melcombe Regis School building, and was relocated to Brewers Quay in 1990 as part of a major redevelopment project between the Council and Devenish Breweries.

The Museum was part of the Timewalk attraction until 1999, but was re-opened as a separate museum in 2000. Located on the first floor of Brewers Quay, the Museum has both stair and lift access and extends over three galleries and a special exhibition area. The Museum is open every day from 10.00-4.30. Admission is free, but voluntary donations are both welcome and important in funding the purchase of new exhibits and developing the Museum.

The Weymouth Museum collection is owned by the Borough of Weymouth and Portland, and the artefacts held at Weymouth reflect the social history of the area. There is a strong maritime influence with major sections covering the patronage of King George III at the end of the eighteenth century and the development of the first "Royal Maritime Spa". The Museum is also fortunate in having the Bussell Collection of prints and paintings that portray the history and life of Weymouth, its people and the surrounding area. Many displays hold items donated by local people through the years and give a fascinating insight into the evolution of the town.

There is a strong maritime influence, as would be expected in a town with so many links to the sea. Weymouth was also famous for many years as the home of the Weymouth Torpedo Works, and in recent years the collections have been enhanced by the loan of items salvaged from the Earl of Abergavenny, the East Indiaman wrecked on the Shambles in 1805. The Museum also holds an important selection of artefacts rescued from the First HMS Hood, scuttled in 1916, which have been loaned by kind permission of the late John Kelly.

The Resource Area

In 2004 the Museum opened its new Resource Centre, where research material on Weymouth and the surrounding area is being digitally produced by a dedicated team of volunteers for public and educational use.

This material will be enhanced by the introduction of a microfilm record totalling 38,000 frames featuring much of the Borough Archive. The Resource Centre is also the venue for meetings and presentations in Brewers Quay. It provides seating for 60 people, and offers a large screen, a small stage and projection equipment.

The Museum also hosts a fascinating programme of talks in the Resource Area on a wide range of topics relating to the area and its history.

The Local History Unit

The Local History Unit is a service provided by the Museum and contains the Weymouth Museum Local History Collection of postcards, photographs, posters, maps, pamphlets, electoral registers, and other reference material relating to the history of the local area, mainly Weymouth and Portland. It also contains microfilms of many of the historical records relating to the Borough of Weymouth and Portland dating back to the 14th century.

The Local History Unit can be used by anyone who is interested in doing any research on the local area or the people that lived and worked here. With records going back to the 14th century, it provides a unique insight into the area, and is particularly helpful for anyone wanting to carry out historical research. Telephone and written enquiries are welcome, and personal visits can be made by appointment to access material contained in the collection. Information about the collection and access to items is free of charge, but charges may be made for extended searches and any copying required.

The Museum is fortunate in having the support of the Friends of Weymouth Museum, a registered charity formed in 1989. The Friends are actively involved in many facets of the museum's work as well as organising a programme of talks and visits. Fundraising is critical to the future of the museum, and the Friends have raised many thousands of pounds over the years to help purchase artefacts as well as equipment for the Resource Centre and Local History Unit.

If you would like to help behind the scenes as a volunteer, why not join the Friends of Weymouth Museum? Fill in the request for information form and enter your details. We will be happy to send you an application form by return.

The Weymouth Museum web page is www.weymouthmuseum.org.uk

Useful Contacts

Brewers Quay admin - 01305 777622, Monday to Friday
Weymouth Museum - 01305 752323, Monday to Wednesday
Local History Unit - 01305 777622 ext 246, Monday to Wednesday
Resource Centre -01305 777622 ext 249, Monday to Wednesday