The Keep, Dorchester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Keep, Dorchester |
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| Dorchester | |
The Keep
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 The Keep, Dorchester
Location within Dorset
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| Coordinates | 50°42′53″N 02°26′37″W / 50.71472°N 2.44361°W |
| Type | Barracks |
| Site information | |
| Operator |  British Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1877-1881 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1881-1958 |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Dorset Regiment |
The Keep in Dorchester is a historic building that was once part of a large army base. This base, called barracks, was built around 1880. It was home to different army groups, known as regiments, as they joined together over the years.
The barracks stopped being used by the army in 1958. Most of the area was rebuilt in the 1960s. However, The Keep itself stayed with the government's defense department. Today, it is a museum that tells the story of these army regiments. It is also a special old building, protected by law, called a Grade II listed building.
Contents
The History of Dorchester's Army Base
The main army base in Dorchester was built between 1877 and 1881. It was set up where an older army training camp, called a Militia barracks, had been just ten years before. Building this new base was part of the "Cardwell Reforms." These were new rules that helped set up local army bases all over Britain.
The base had a big open space called a parade ground. This was located between The Keep, which was like an armory, and another building known as the 'little keep'. Around the parade ground were brick buildings for soldiers to live in. There were also separate homes for officers, a dining hall for officers, a gym, storage rooms, offices, and other important buildings.
Regiments at the Barracks
The Dorchester barracks became the main home for two army groups: the 39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot and the 75th (Stirlingshire) Regiment of Foot. In 1881, following more army changes called the "Childers Reforms," the 39th Regiment joined with the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment. They formed a new group called the Dorset Regiment, and their main base was here in Dorchester.
During the Second World War, soldiers from the United States Army used these barracks. They had companies that helped with maintenance and supplies.
What Happened to the Barracks?
In 1958, the Dorset Regiment joined with the Devonshire Regiment to create the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment. Their new main office moved to a different base in Exeter. After this, the Dorchester barracks site was changed. Some buildings, like a long block where soldiers lived, were taken down.
Other buildings were sold. The local council and the Royal Mail took over some parts in the 1960s. A tax office was even built on what used to be the parade ground. Only The Keep building was kept by the Ministry of Defence. In 2016, the council sold one of the old barrack blocks to be turned into homes.
Across the road from this main base was an even older Cavalry Barracks, opened in 1795. Most of that older site is still used by the military today as Dorchester's Army Reserve Centre.
The Museum Inside The Keep
Today, The Keep is a museum that tells the story of several army regiments. These include the Devonshire Regiment, the Dorset Regiment, the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, The Dorset Yeomanry, Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry, The Dorset Militia, The Royal Devon Yeomanry, and 94 Field Regiment RA. One interesting item in the museum is Adolf Hitler's desk. It was taken from his office in Berlin in 1945.
The museum is located inside The Keep, which was the strong, main part of the original barracks. It is a Grade II listed building, meaning it's a special historic place. The ground floor still looks much like it did when it was a military building.
Exploring the Museum Floors
You enter the museum through the old ammunition and powder storage room. From there, you go through an archway that used to lead to the rest of the barracks. Near this archway are the guardroom and prison cells. One cell is set up to show how it looked when prisoners were kept there. In the west tower, there's a special rope system. It was used to lift weapons, ammunition, and other supplies to the upper floors.
You reach the first floor by a spiral staircase. This floor is now the main regimental museum. It shows off uniforms, weapons, and equipment used by the regiments over their 300-year history. The second floor displays campaign medals and bravery awards. It also has exhibits of small guns and silver items.
The third floor has displays about the regiments' more recent military history. You can learn about the places they have served and the events they took part in. Above this floor are the battlements, which are the walls on top of the building. From here, you get amazing views of the town and the countryside around it.
