Sturminster Newton Museum has been awarded recently “Full Accreditation” status by the Museums Libraries & Archives Council. This considerable achievement demonstrates that the Museum has met nationally agreed standards for the care and documentation of its collection, management and governance and the provision of information and services for its users.
Current exhibitions relate to the history of the livestock market and the creamery in Sturminster Newton, life in the town in Victorian times and the Roman villa sites that surround the town. There is a large, scale model of Sturminster Newton station (closed in 1966) with moving trains and an additional display of Somerset & Dorset Railway memorabilia.
This, 2010, is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert Young, a Dorset dialect poet who was born, lived and died in Sturminster Newton. Robert Young was a friend and contemporary of William Barnes and of Thomas Hardy, who lived in Young's house during his stay in Sturminster Newton in 1876-1878. To commemorate this anniversary, the Museum will be hosting an exhibition on Robert Young, which will include original manuscripts, photographs and objects possessed by Young and his family.
2010 also marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of Sturminster Newton High School. The School will be presenting a photographic exhibition, “Then and Now”, which explores the changes during those years. The display will be in the Museum during July and August.
Until Easter 2010 the Museum and Museum shop will be open Monday, Friday & Saturday from 10.00am – 12.30pm. From Easter the Museum and shop will open Monday, Thursday & Friday 10.00am-3.00pm and on Saturday 10.00am-12.30pm.
