Work to preserve and open up the William Barnes Archive will begin this November, following a major fundraising success by the William Barnes Society. The campaign has reached its £35,000 target, allowing conservation and cataloguing of the poet’s extensive papers to get underway at the Dorset History Centre.
Now housed in the Dorset History Centre © Mark North
The archive – 65 boxes of letters, manuscripts and personal papers belonging to the Dorset-born poet and scholar – was deposited at the History Centre in 2018 by the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, which retains ownership of the collection.
The announcement was made at the Society’s recent AGM, where Sam Johnston, Manager of the Dorset History Centre, confirmed that archivist Ruth Burton will lead the project. “This project will make the Barnes Archive more accessible than ever before,” Mr Johnston said. “By the summer of 2026, we’ll have a fully searchable online catalogue that anyone can explore and enjoy.”
Claire Dixon, Executive Director of the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, added: “We are thrilled that this project will make our collection more accessible. We are looking forward to being able to inform new displays and stories both in our galleries and online, made possible by this new online archive. This is a great demonstration of the value of our partnership with the Dorset History Centre, that enables more people to access and learn from our collections and archives.”
Running from November 2025 to July 2026, the work will involve close collaboration between the Dorset History Centre, the William Barnes Society and local volunteers.
Brian Caddy, Chair of the William Barnes Society, said: “We are thrilled that the ‘Barnes for All appeal’ has achieved its goal. The enthusiasm and generosity of our supporters have been extraordinary. Thanks to this effort, the William Barnes Archive will be preserved and opened up for everyone to discover. We are deeply grateful to the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, the Dorset History Centre, the Dorset Archives Trust, Dorchester Town Council, and all the generous individuals who contributed to this campaign.”
Updates will be shared through the Dorset History Centre’s newsletter and its monthly lunchtime series From the Stacks, which highlights treasures from the county’s collections.
The William Barnes Society says the achievement marks “a major step forward” in preserving Dorset’s literary heritage and ensuring the poet’s legacy continues to inspire future generations.
