Well known archaeologist Julian Richards of ‘Meet the Ancestors’ is visiting the Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne on Saturday 14 August from 11.00am to 3.30pm. Normal admission charges apply.
Julian will be spending the day in his exhibition, ‘A Potted History of Britain’, that charts 6000 years of ceramics. He will be on hand to chat to visitors and also answer queries on any pots or pottery fragments that visitors bring in (valuations cannot be given).
This fascinating display of 80 pots ranging from 6000 year old fragments excavated near Stonehenge to a pot made during the lockdown last year, explores pottery’s role in everyday life from prehistoric times to today.
The pots on display include some from the museum’s own stores, highlighting their unique collection of East Dorset ‘Verwood’ pottery, while others have been generously loaned by Salisbury Museum. The exhibition is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Julian Richards said “Pottery has always been a passion of mine, whether it’s muddy broken fragments on an archaeological dig or showing primary school pupils how to make and fire their own pots.
“Pots are part of our everyday life. We eat off them, drink out of them and even sit on something that’s made of pottery in our visits to the bathroom! We can learn so much about people’s day to day lives through their pottery.”
The museum, situated opposite the Minster church, is the cultural hub and place to visit to learn more about Wimborne and the towns and rural areas of East Dorset. Step into the historic house to discover the fascinating stories of the people who lived and worked there over the centuries. The museum boasts a unique collection of Victorian Valentine cards, a kitchen that takes you back in time, and all sorts of everyday objects from the past as well as photographic images related to local life in East Dorset. There are plenty of family trails to engage both children and adults.