From its humble beginnings in a tithe barn, Swanage Museum is now celebrating its 50th anniversary located in an historic market building on the seafront.
Museum volunteers along with invited guests including Swanage town deputy mayor Sarah Vile, gathered on Wednesday 26th August 2026 for the occasion at the Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre in Dorset, to mark 50 years since the organisation was first formed in 1976.
Volunteers gathered at the museum to mark its 50th anniversary
Museum merged with the Heritage Centre in 2005
Originally the museum was based at the tithe barn in the grounds of the rectory next door to St Mary’s the Virgin church, and was called the Tithe Barn Museum and Art Centre, but it had to find new premises in 2005 when the roof started to rot.
The decision was made for the museum to merge with the council-run Heritage Centre in The Square and within a few years was managed entirely by the team of local history volunteers.
Its local studies centre was at Marine Villas on Swanage Pier but was asked to move in 2016 to allow for redevelopment of the pier to take place.
So, with many of the museum’s records already stored in a unit at the Victoria Avenue Industrial Estate, the local studies centre moved to the industrial estate and it is now a history centre for research on everything about Purbeck including family history.
The Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre, which is free to enter, has exhibits on fossils, the fishing industry, Purbeck stone, illustrations of old Swanage, and a number of Victorian shop fronts.
The original Tithe Barn Museum and Art Centre in the grounds of the rectory before relocating to its current seafront position in The Square
The displays in the tithe barn were very traditional
“I was happy to volunteer”
Since the founders David Florence and Phyllis Mapley established the museum in the Tithe Barn in 1976, many names have contributed to the continuation of the museum over the decades, including David Haysom, John Page, Bob Field, Mel Norris, and John Patrick.
Now there’s a newly elected chair of the museum, David Hawkings. He moved with his wife Lynn to Swanage during the Covid pandemic in 2021, and has since published a book The Tower on the Hill, the story of water in Swanage. He said:
“We were walking around Swanage and it was my wife Lynn who spotted the water tower. I have a particular interest in water supply history having previously written a book about Plymouth’s water supply.
“I then wanted to find out more, so wandered into the museum and was then pointed in the direction of the history centre on the industrial estate.
“Everyone was really helpful, as well as the town clerk Dr Martin Ayres, who was able to provide me with some of the old council records. That’s when I got to know the museum volunteers.
“At the end of 2025, I was asked to step into the role of chair of the museum, and as history is something which really interests me, I was happy to volunteer. I’m living in Swanage and want to get involved locally.”
Newly elected chair of the museum, David Hawkings signing copies of his new book The Tower on the Hill
Signed copies of the new book Tinkleford: A Dorset Miniature Village by Brian Salter are also available from the museum
“Update and refresh the whole look of the museum”
So after 50 years, what does the future hold for the Swanage History and Heritage Centre?
David added:
“The key thing is to encourage more volunteers to get involved. Nothing would happen without our volunteers, and the more we have, the more we can achieve.
“We would like to update and refresh the whole look of the museum. With new technology and screens we can display more information without the need for large boards, which will free up some space. There’s plenty to look forward to!”
The current layout of the museum is due for a refresh
The museum’s own history has had its up and downs but has lived to celebrate its 50th anniversary!
Further information
- To volunteer get in contact via the Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre website or call in at The Square, Swanage BH19 2LJ
- The books The Tower on the Hill: The Story of Water in Swanage by David J Hawkings, and Tinkleford: A Dorset Miniature Village by Brian Salter, are both available to buy from the museum
