Portland Museum, Dorset facts for kids
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The Portland Museum is a cool place to visit on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, southern England. It's located in a small village called Wakeham. This museum is special because it's set inside two old cottages from the 1600s! These cottages have thatched roofs, which means their roofs are made of straw or reeds. They have been protected buildings since 1951.
One of these cottages, called Avice's Cottage, is famous! It was mentioned in a book by Thomas Hardy called The Well-Beloved. In the story, it was the home of three generations of characters named "Avice."
The Portland Museum was started by a woman named Marie Stopes. She bought the two old cottages in 1929 when they were falling apart. She then gave them to Portland to be used as a museum. The museum first opened its doors in 1930. Marie Stopes was the first person to look after the museum, and she stayed involved until she passed away in 1958.
What Can You Discover Inside?
The museum has lots of interesting things to see, split into four main topics. You can learn about the history of Portland stone, which is a famous type of rock. You can also explore the amazing Jurassic Coast, which is known for its fossils. The museum also tells stories about shipwrecks that happened near Portland's coast. Finally, you can discover famous people who have a connection to the island.
The museum also shows off old items found on Portland. These items date back to the Stone Ages and beyond. In the Marie Stopes Cottage, there is a small exhibit about Marie Stopes herself. You can also see things connected to the writer Thomas Hardy.
There's even a "Victorian Corner" that shows what life was like in Victorian times. You can see a wedding dress from a local girl and other objects that would have been in a Victorian living room. The top floor of the cottage has the Maritime Room, which is all about ships and the sea.
Outside in the garden, you can find a collection of local fossils. There are also other old objects, like the casing from a World War II bomb. This bomb was found on Portland in 1995.
Who Runs the Museum Now?
The Portland Museum used to be managed by the local council. But on April 1, 2008, a new group took over. This group is called the Portland Museum Trust. It is a registered charity, which means it's a non-profit organization. The trust continues to run the museum today.
Since 2009, the museum has been getting a big makeover. A group called the Portland Island Museum Supporters has also been created. They help support the museum and its work.
See also
- Jurassica, a proposed theme park on Portland
- Grove Prison Museum, a museum based on the active HM Prison Portland
