Dorset History Centre (Archives)

Carpark closure: The car park at Dorset History Centre is currently unavailable due to ongoing building works. It will reopen in May 2025. We apologise for the inconvenience.

... a thousand years, a million stories

Dorset History Centre is the archives service and local studies library for Bournemouth, Christchurch, Dorset and Poole.
We house Dorset's local archives - from council records to personal collections.

Visiting us

See our opening times, how to get to us, parking information and what to expect when you visit.
Search our catalogue

Descriptions of records we hold on the history of people and places in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole.
Doing your research

Information about our enquiry, research and copying services plus tips for your research.
Collections

We care for and provide access to thousands of archive collections.
Caring for the collections

Our conservation and preservation activities ensure the longevity of the collections.
Projects

Find out about current and past projects that enhance access to our collections.
Education and learning

Resource packs and information on the records we hold related to curriculum topics.
Community group visits

We offer tailored sessions on how to use the history centre and research projects.
Lecture room hire

Find out about the facilities and cost of hiring our lecture room.
Get involved

Deposit records, volunteer with us or find support for your project.
Accessibility

We want to make sure everyone can benefit from our services.
About us

We are dedicated to preserving, sharing and celebrating the rich heritage of Dorset.