Join Dorset's first conservation society

The Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society

The Dorset County Museum, founded 1846

Why you should join

Members of DNHAS receive these special privileges:

Unlimited free admission to the Museum, including its varied exhibition programme.
Free access to the Society's library with its marvellous collection of local and specialist books, journals, daily papers and magazines. It is also the Members' room.
An extensive programme of lectures, meetings and day-schools on a range of subjects from abbeys to ammonites, bats to barrows and free membership of the various groups within the Society.
Visits to houses, ancient monuments, villages and countryside in Dorset and further afield.
A regular newsletter.
A free copy of the annual Proceedings of the DNH&AS with its wide-ranging articles on Dorset's history and environment (full and life members, affiliated societies, member patrons and corporate members only).
An opportunity to participate actively in the work of the Museum and in the research work of the Society.
Other events and entertainments.

The Society and the Museum

The Dorset County Museum was founded in 1846 to protect and record Dorset's history and environment. In 1928 the Museum joined forces with the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club to form the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. Our interests today include natural history, local history, photography, textiles, literature, fine and applied art especially relating to Dorset, and our archaeology, geology and Thomas Hardy collections are world-famous.

Support your local museum

The Museum, with its unique collections and delightful architecture, is entering an exciting phase of new developments. As a charitable trust we depend on your support to continue our day-to-day work and help us improve and expand our Museum for future visitors, young and old, to enjoy.

For more information please contact the Curator or Administrator,
Dorset County Museum
High West Street
Dorchester, Dorset
DT1 1XA
telephone (01305) 262735

Choose the membership category that suits you

Full member: free access to the Museum and library, meetings, newsletter and a copy of the Proceedings.
Joint members: Two members at the same address receiving one copy of newsletter and Proceedings.
Associate member: as Full member, but without the Proceedings.
Student member: as Associate member. Must be in full-time education.
Museum Club: open to those under the age of 16. Members entitled to unlimited access to the Museum and have their own programme of events.
Life Members: Full membership for life. Single or double membership available. A Gift Aid form will be sent when you apply so that the Society can obtain nearly one-third extra from the Inland Revenue.
Member Patrons: all the benefits of Full membership for those willing to pay a premium subscription to assist the work of the Society.
Affiliated Societies: schools, colleges, societies or charitable bodies. Benefits include two transferable membership cards and additional membership cards at a concessionary rate.
Corporate Members: an excellent opportunity for businesses and non-charitable associations to become involved with the Museum and enjoy two transferable membership cards, 20 complimentary admission tickets annually for company guests, gallery hire discounts for entertaining, exhibition private view tickets for members of your organisation or exclusive exhibition preview evenings.

Membership application forms to download and print off:

in PDF (Adobe Portable Document Format)
in HTML

The Direct Debit Guarantee

Legal status of the Society

The Society is both a registered charity (no. 1062400) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (no. 3362107). The members are the guarantors; the liability of each member is limited to £1.00.