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Wessex Museums

@wessexmuseums.bsky.social
1.7K followers 493 following 142 posts

Regional museum partnership supporting seven museums in Dorset and Wiltshire, dedicated to telling the story of Wessex. Website wessexmuseums.org.uk/ Our museums wessexmuseums.org.uk/our-museums/

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Wessex Museums @wessexmuseums.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
John Piper in the South Country is now open at Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social until 6 June 2026. Guest curator: Andrew Lambirth This Wessex Museums exhibition has been made possible with support from @artscouncilengland.bsky.social. wessexmuseums.org.uk/our-work/exh...
wessexmuseums.org.uk
John Piper in the South Country - Wessex Museums
John Piper in the South Country is an exhibition focused on the artist's depiction of the landscape and architecture of Wiltshire and Dorset.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
To celebrate International Women's Day, we thought we would share some photos that came into our collection last year of The Women's Land Army. During the Second World War, Joan Miles and her friends worked at Arches Farm, in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, in an effort to help the Home Front.
Three women wearing dark sunglasses stood in a wheat fieldThree women arms around one another sat at the edge of a wheat fieldSix women on deck chairs posing for the camera with mugs of hot drinksTwo women, one with her arm around the other leant up against a carriage smiling for the camera
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The Salisbury Museum @salisburymuseum.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
Celebrating International Women's Day! Meet Millicent Fawcett (1847-1929), local suffragist and leader of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, who fought tirelessly for women's right to vote. Millicent was also a passionate advocate for women's health and human rights.
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The Salisbury Museum @salisburymuseum.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
🎨 Calling all Landscape Artists! Entries are now open for The Landscape Open 2026. This is your chance to: 🏛️ Show your work at Salisbury Museum 🏆 Win a fully funded solo show 👀 Get your art seen by collectors and art lovers Find out more and submit your work here: artopps.co.uk/opportunitie...
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
This #findsfriday we have polished oval macehead of limestone containing the fossil stromatoporoid (A shallow marine sponge). Containing traces of bronze, it found with a primary male inhumation in Bowl Barrow Wilsford G5, excavated by William Cunnington in 1808.
Oval macehead of multiple angles. Brown in colour with hole in centre Green discolouration to show bronze presence on circular brown masehead
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The Salisbury Museum @salisburymuseum.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
🎉 Salisbury Museum has renewed its Full UK Museum Accreditation from Arts Council England! This national quality standard recognises our commitment to professional collections care, transparent governance, quality visitor experiences, and community engagement.
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The Salisbury Museum @salisburymuseum.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Yesterday, Mrs Barnes, along with her Bourne View companions, visited us to see her great-grandmother Harriet Dowdell's patchwork quilt. The quilt is made from everyday fabrics dating back to the 1830’s. Now it's a treasured part of our social history collection, kindly donated by Mrs Barnes. 🧵
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Rare print of Wiltshire Thatcher image that was on the cover of Led Zep IV sells for £16,000. ledzepnews.com/2026/02/25/a...
ledzepnews.com
A rare print of the original photo from Led Zeppelin’s fourth album sold for £16,000 - Led Zeppelin News
An original nineteenth century print of the photograph of a thatcher used on the cover of Led Zeppelin’s fourth album sold at auction in Sussex for £16,000 on February 25. The print, which had been...
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The Salisbury Museum @salisburymuseum.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Join us for an evening of folk music and traditional storytelling 🗓 26 March 2026, 6:30pm 🎻 Folk music from Maerefolk and Charles Allison, with storytelling by Paul Butler. 🤝 In association with Salisbury Folk Club. 🎟 Tickets: Members £12, Non-members £15 🔗 Book & details: Salisbury Museum website
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
This #findsfriday we have a Roman green gem-set gold finger-ring, dating to the 3rd century AD, found in Clyffe Pypard, Wiltshire, 2013. search more of our collections here at: www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/search-the-c...
side and front profile of golden coloured ring with centre green stones
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Brian is big in Japan!
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The Salisbury Museum @salisburymuseum.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Exciting news! 🎨 For the first time in 200 years, John Constable’s 'A View of Salisbury from Harnham' will go on public display at The Salisbury Museum. It is on long term loan from a private collection and will be displayed from June 2026, marking the artist’s 250th anniversary.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
This #findsfriday we have 2 delicate bronze bird-shaped ornaments, perhaps shoe buckles, locality unknown. search more of our collections here at: www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/search-the-c...
Two brown bird shaped buckles with holes through centre
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
In celebration of Valentines day, here is one of our valentine cards from #outofthearchive. This card was sent Thomas Kemm at Manor House, Avebury, Wiltshire in 1866. The front of the card reads "Affections Offering. ... I feel for thee alone. By then wilt thou be my own."
Card with church in centre and dried flowers and lace envelope with red stamp
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The Salisbury Museum @salisburymuseum.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
We loved attending the preview of Youthquake:1960s at @blandford_fashion on Friday! Part of the Fashioning Our Future project, the exhibition showcases 1960s boutique style and homemade garments selected and interpreted by students from Arts University Bournemouth & local Sixth Forms. Opens today!
We were thrilled to attend the preview day of Youthquake:1960s today at @blandford_fashion 'Youthquake:1960s'The exhibition is part of the Fashioning Our Future project with The Salisbury Museum.
Thanks to funding received from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Fashioning Our Future project, students from Arts University Bournemouth and local Sixth Forms have been working with the museum team to bring to life this dynamic exhibition.Choosing objects from the museum’s extensive fashion collection, the students explored 1960s boutique fashion alongside homemade garments encapsulating the free-spirited energy of the 1960s. Many of the garments featured in the exhibition represent innovative sartorial statements expressed during the 1960s era through bold garments made at home. This adventurous attitude to style is a theme that resonated with the students, aligning with their concerns around sustainability and making conscious fashion choices.
The exhibition opens on Monday 16 February at Blandford Fashion Museum. 
Visit and be inspired in your fashion journey! 
Pictured Left-Right: Katy England Fashioning Our Future Project Manager, Katie Godman-Sinclair Collections Manager at Blandford Fashion Museum, Jenny Mearns Fashioning Our Future Assistant.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
NEW EXHIBITION: John Piper in the South Country Saturday March 7th - Saturday 6th June 2026 Join us for the first ever exhibition devoted to how Piper responded to the landscape and architecture of Wiltshire and Dorset, including Devizes- his favourite market town.
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The Salisbury Museum @salisburymuseum.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Two days to go! 🎉 Our new exhibition Un/Common People – Folk Culture in Wessex opens Saturday 7 Feb 2026. Discover over 100 fascinating objects, plus film and photography celebrating Wessex’s living folk traditions.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Wiltshire Museum is delighted to announce that Garfield Weston Foundation has awarded us £300,000 towards creating a new home for the museum in the Devizes Assize Court.
Garfield weston foundation logo
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Do you think that Devizes should be the Town of Culture? We are listed in this Guardian article. Thanks to Pam Thomas for the nomination. www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...
theguardian.com
‘One of the most stunning sights in the country’: your picks for UK town of culture
From pirates and skateboarders in Hastings to legends and locks in Devizes, from dolphins in Scarborough to the ‘artists’ town’ of Kirkcudbright, readers put forward their favourite places
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
This #findsfriday we have a gold mounted amber pendant. It consists of a flat central disc of amber framed by a wide round border of thin gold. Found with a primary cremation in Bell Barrow Wilsford G8 and excavated by William Cunnington.
Multiple angles of a gold disc with brown/amber centre
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Fun fact - the amber disc was polished on a lathe / wheel. Is there earlier evidence of the knowledge of rotary motion in England?
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Wessex Museums @wessexmuseums.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Wessex Museums welcomes the recent Department for Culture, Media and Sport announcement of £1.5 billion funding over five years for the cultural sector, including museums. The funding incorporates a 5% uplift to Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funding for 2026/7.
Members of the Nepali Ladies Craft Group in Tidworth, working on a weaving project with Wiltshire Museum.
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The Salisbury Museum @salisburymuseum.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
✨ Opening in just 4 days… Step into the world of Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex. From historic folk art to contemporary voices, discover 100+ objects, stories, songs and films that reimagine what it means to be a “commoner” — and how folk culture continues to shape Wessex today.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
This weeks on #findsfriday we have an incomplete Roman figurine, depicting the head and neck of a man, possibly Apollo, c. 43-410 AD. Found near Etchilhampton, Wiltshire. See more of our collections here at: www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/search-the-c...
Multiple angles view of Roman figurine head.Green in colour, faded face
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The Salisbury Museum @salisburymuseum.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
✨ Behind the Scenes Tour ✨ 🗓 7 February 2026 ⏰ 2:30pm 📍 The Salisbury Museum Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour and uncover hidden treasures, untold stories, and fascinating artefacts not normally on public display. Members £15 | Non-Members £18 Find out more on the museum website!
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Last week we had the honour of HM The Queen visiting Wiltshire Museum to celebrate the success of the Assizes for Devizes Project. The exciting project has been made possible by the award of an £8.5m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Her majesty queen camilla holding a bouquet of blue and white flowers. Wearing a white coat with white hair
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
See if you can guess which one we are buying for our collections!
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Some favourite things from our collections
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
At the British Museum for the unveiling of this spectacular Saxon gold and garnet eagle found in West Wiltshire. We hope to acquire through Treasure process.
Gold and garnet object in the form of an eagle head with curving beakDirector of the British Museum launching the Treasure Report Three people behind a table with gold finds on display
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
BBC on the latest Treasure Report with "spectacular early medieval finds from Wiltshire ... Included a silver, gold and garnet bird's-head terminal with elephant ivory inlays, possibly from a drinking-horn." A follow-up excavation planned. months.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2yerrqel7o
bbc.co.uk
Norfolk remains tops of England's treasure finds list
Most finds are made by detectorists, building a richer picture of the past, says the British Museum.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
This #findsfriday we have a gold pendant in the shape of two horns, made from thin gold over a bronze core and pierced in the centre for suspension. This grave was richly furnished, with a number of gold pendants included.It has been suggested that the pendant might resemble cow's horns.
Multiple angles of a gold pendant on black background
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The Salisbury Museum @salisburymuseum.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Apparently today is Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year. Here is our harpy, to cheer you up. This talisman pin from the 16th century harpy (or angel/monster) was possibly used as a protective charm to ward off evil Whatever she was, she makes us smile. We hope she does the same for you.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Today is #brewmonday ! Help @samaritans.bsky.social by checking in with your people and staying connected over a good cup of tea! This tea cup from our collections shows the Market Cross in Devizes. Show us your favourite Cups and Mugs!
Tea cup showing Devizes market cross in a water colour image, surrounded by trees.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Today is #Heritagetreasuresday. With thanks to #NationalLottery players, we are going to be able to transform the derelict Assize Court building into a spectacular new home for the Museum, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund Learn more at www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/assizes/
Photo of the Assize Court frontage with four columns and a Grecian temple pediment bathed in warm sunlight. In the foreground is a banner reading 'Assize Court saved!' featuring The National Lottery Heritage Fund logo with crossed fingers.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
This #findsfriday we have a Roman gold ring with a red oval garnet setting. The bezel is decorated with crescent shaped markings down the sides.
Gold and garnet ring taken at five angles. Size guide marks the perimeter and orange stamp to show pressing.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
This #findsfriday, we are sharing with you one of three leather shoes that were found in Avebury in 2025, concealed in a wall of a house. Wiltshire Council's Conservation & Museums Advisory Service then worked to conserve the shoes for our collection, creating bespoke mounts to stabilise the shoes.
Left and right photo image of a dried mud caked shoe worn and disintegrating. Found in wall
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Are you an enthusiastic Community Curator to deliver and develop community engagement in underserved audiences? A 3-day per week role to cover maternity leave. For more details and to apply, see www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/work-with-us/
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Wessex Museums @wessexmuseums.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Wessex Museums. Thank you for all your support in 2025.   Image credit: Seed picture probably depicting Darby and Joan, artist unknown. Wiltshire Museum (@wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social). Currently on display in our Un/Common People exhibition at Poole Museum.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
This #findsfriday we have a miniature copper alloy axe head fitted into a red deer antler handle for use as a hand tool. Found in Snail Down (XXII), Wiltshire You can search more of our collections here at: www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/search-the-c...
Smooth bone handle with green end and writing on and oxidised axe head, green in colour
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Wessex Museums @wessexmuseums.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Watch the recording of our latest online talk "Working with the community on exploring Black history and heritage" by Bridget Telfer of @salisburymuseum.bsky.social. wessexmuseums.org.uk/our-work/hig... Part of our Lunchtime Shares series, featuring colleagues from across our partner museums.
Intro slide for the "Working with the community on exploring Black history and heritage" talk given by Bridget Telfer of The Salisbury Museum as part of Wessex Museums' Lunchtime Shares series. The slide shows the talk recording lasts approximately 40 minutes. The images on the slide are details from two objects in The Salisbury Museum: a Mayoral Chair from 1622 which depicts two semi-naked Black women; and a tortoiseshell snuff box.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
To celebrate the centenary of Woodhenge, this #findsfriday we thought we would share something from the site! This necked beaker, decorated with incised lines and zigzags was found from circle 1, Woodhenge, by Mrs M E Cunnington and Mr B H Cunnington, 1926-8. Now in our Prehistory Galleries!
Beaker pot of brown with zig zag patterns . Cracks seen throughout.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
We actively encourage researchers to work with our collections, so we can find out more about them. Learn more about research here at the Museum, here: www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/research/
wiltshiremuseum.org.uk
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
This December is the 100 Year Anniversary since the discovery of Woodhenge! These antler picks were used to build the Woodhenge Monument, found in an excavation by Maud Cunnington within the years immediately after.
Black background with scattered Antler heads. Side profile image of Maud Cunnington 1919. Black and white
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Now on the BBC! Though there is slightly more to the project than a cafe though ... Think we have seen 'ace cafe with a museum attached' somewhere else. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Dream to create new museum in Devizes takes step forward
A £8.5 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund means the project can go ahead.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
😊
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Devizes Assize Court saved and new home for Wiltshire Museum secured. Delighted to announce that The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded us funding to transform the derelict Assize Court building into a spectacular new home for the Museum. www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/assizes/
Banner showing the front of the restored Assize Court and viualisations of the completed displays. Title reads Assize Court Saved.
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Wiltshire Museum @wiltshiremuseum.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Downland: Art and the Archaeological imagination in Wiltshire. Rose Ferraby talks about her exhibition at the Museum and the inspiration that she found in our collections, the Wiltshire landscapes and fellow artists. Open Tues - Sat 10-4. youtube.com/shorts/Ib2rH...
youtube.com
Rose Ferraby and her 'Downland: art and the archaeological imagination in Wiltshire' exhibition
YouTube video by Wiltshire Museum
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Wessex Museums @wessexmuseums.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Thanks to Lucy Marder for a really useful (and fun) governance training day last week. It was great to have so many Wessex Museums trustees together in one place, with the opportunity for some lunchtime networking as well.
Attendees at the Wessex Museums governance training day, standing in a semi-circle around a flip-chart.
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The Salisbury Museum @salisburymuseum.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Thrilled to be featured in last weekend’s The Telegraph — huge thanks to journalist Nick Trend for the kind recommendation. Nick explored the artistic rivalry of JMW Turner and John Constable. We’re privileged to have two Turners on display: Distant View from Old Sarum and Stonehenge.
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