Wimborne’s Museum of East Dorset is inviting people to help shape a unique new exhibition by sharing the objects that mean the most to them – from treasured keepsakes to the everyday items that quietly hold a lifetime of memories.
Opening in October 2026, the exhibition will explore the powerful stories behind the things we choose to keep. A well‑worn recipe book, a treasured childhood toy, a favourite photograph carried from home to home? These objects often speak for us, capturing moments, people and places that have shaped who we are.
The museum is now launching an open call for submissions from across East Dorset. Residents are encouraged to put forward an object or photograph that holds personal significance. Selected items will go on display in the museum, forming a rich, intimate portrait of local lives and experiences.
All types of objects are welcome – practical, sentimental, symbolic or surprising. Even if an item is not chosen for the physical exhibition, it may still be featured in a digital showcase on the Museum of East Dorset’s website, ensuring as many stories as possible can be shared with the wider community.
Submissions are open now and close at 9am on Monday 3 August. Contributors will be contacted by Friday 21 August with further details.
Paper submission forms are available at the museum’s front desk and online submissions can be made via the museum’s website.
Millie Lake, Curator and Collections Manager, said: “Objects have an extraordinary ability to hold memories. They help us tell stories that might otherwise be lost. We’re excited to celebrate the everyday treasures that matter to people across East Dorset and to bring these personal histories together in one shared space.”
She added: “There’s often an assumption that only certain types of objects or stories belong in museums, and we want to challenge that. Some of the most meaningful objects are the ones we use every day or keep quietly at home. If something matters to you, whether it’s ordinary or deeply personal, we’d love to hear its story. “
To take part and read more, visit: See your objects inside a museum – Museum of East Dorset
Direct link to the submission form: https://forms.gle/CNmL2Huduw7QSsFB6
For further information, please contact: Millie Lake, Curator and Collections Manager [email protected]