The new exhibition at the Museum of East Dorset celebrates seven decades of
local fun and festivities.
Inspired by the Queen’s
Platinum Jubilee year, the exhibition examines how local people have observed important local and national events since 1952. It will run until March next year.

Celebrating local events
Members of the community were invited to contribute to
the exhibition by sharing stories, reminiscences, photographs and memorabilia. Celebrations include the Queen’s coronation and jubilees, local carnivals held at Wimborne and Verwood, ‘The Magpies’ historic win in the FA Vase final in 1992, and how we marked the millennium. East Dorset towns and villages including Wimborne, Verwood, Witchampton and Shapwick have contributed photographs and artefacts.
During 2022, the museum will also celebrate 400 years of Dorset button making and the its 60th birthday.
Little Explorers activities over the summer will include various themed events.

Celebrating people
Community organisations were invited to create celebratory pennants to represent their groups which are on display.
The museum has launched a ‘Celebrating Ourselves’ portrait competition inviting schoolchildren to create a
portrait of themselves as
their ‘best selves’ be they
artists, scientists or YouTubers.
There will be a winner from each age group and portraits will be displayed in May.
Celebrating nature
Children will also be able to celebrate nature in the museum’s garden by creating ‘Andy Goldsworthy’-inspired pieces of art from a range of natural materials provided. They can take pictures of their art and post them on social media.
Chezzie Hollow, museum director, said: “This exhibition is very much inspired by, and created with, the local community. “For the first time, visitors will be able to ‘experience’ different exhibition elements across the whole site as well as in the exhibition gallery. Interactive elements encour.
“The exhibition is family friendly and is a fantastic opportunity for all ages to experience the museum in a new way”.
For more information visit:
museumofeastdorset.co.uk/