Home - The Keep Military Museum, Dorchester, Dorset

Welcome to the Keep Military Museum website through which we intend to develop our services to the public, be they visitors to the Museum in Dorchester, visiting our virtual galleries or using our research services.

The artefacts, weapons, uniforms, medals and of course the stories of the soldiers and their families and much more are on display over three floors. Computer and digital presentation, realistic battle environments, together with exhibitions, tell the tales of courage humour and sacrifice of the soldiers and their families who have served in the regiments of Devon and Dorset for over 300 years.

We aim to make our history available via the web, which is a key part of our outreach programme. Our virtual galleries provide in depth coverage of topics, documents can be downloaded and we will be developing educational services in support of Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3 and GCSE.

The Keep Museum' constituent Regiments are The Devonshire Regiment, The Dorset Regiment, The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, The Dorset Yeomanry, The Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry, The Dorset Militia, The Royal Devon Yeomanry and 94 Field Regiment RA.

Spectacular views from the battlements of Hardy's Dorset are an added bonus.

Wheelchair access to all display floors by lift. Disabled toilet facilities are available.

Foreword by
His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent,
Our Patron

Announcements

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Our address has been changed. It is now:
The Keep Military Museum
Barrack Road
Dorchester
DT1 1RN

The Musuem has not moved location; we are still in the same place and the Royal Mail assure us that any mail sent to the former Bridport Road address will still reach us.

ALL CHANGE AT THE KEEP!

On 31st March, Captain Colin Parr retires after 5 years as Museum Curator. We all wish him well in his retirement. We welcome Chris Copson, who joins us from the Tank Museum, as our new Curator. Chris has lots of Museum experience, particularly in the fields of education and the First World War.

Pauline Kidd joins the staff on a full time basis as Shop Manger from 1st April, looking after all aspects of the Musuem shop and postage sales.

John Murphy and Helen Jones remain on the staff . John is the Custodian and his priority is display work while Helen coordinates the research and collections management.

We also have a wonderful team of volunteers to support us and the Musuem could not operate without their help.

SUMMER OPENING
Summer opening hours commence on Tuesday 1st April 2014:

Monday - Saturday inclusive: 10am - 5pm with last admission and gates close at 4pm.

These hours remain in operation until 30th September 2014.

Closed Sundays all year round.

Please allow 4-12 weeks for the completion of research queries due to the sheer volume of enquiries received. We will try to complete work in a much shorter time frame but this cannot be guaranteed. Thank you for your patience and copperation.

Photographic Reproduction

We regret that we are currently unable to scan and print copies of our photographs for enquirers.

The Rifles Infantry Regiment - please visit our Links page for web site links

The Regimental Association of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment

The Devonshire and Dorset Regimental Association preserves
the memory, traditions and comradeship of the Regiment

For news about the range of current and future activities
visit the Association's web site

The Old West Country Regiments
from Plassey to the Somme
(11th, 39th & 54th)
by Jeremy Archer

Available from the Museum Shop

click here for more information

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