Dorchester has a rich history with an array of monuments, buildings and museums.

We're taking a look at the story behind Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum.

Shire Hall is a Grade I listed Georgian court and cells on High West Street, Dorchester. It is a rare architectural gem, being one of the best-preserved buildings of its kind, and remains almost unchanged since it first opened in 1797. Shire Hall's history is of international importance.

The court was the scene of the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs in 1834, a significant moment in the history of the trades union movement. The trial, and subsequent events, changed the course of history and helped to shape the society in which we live today.

Shire Hall was the centre of law and order and local government until the courtroom closed in 1955. After which it was used as local government offices until 2013.

In the early 20th century, the writer Thomas Hardy served as a magistrate, an experience that inspired some of his writing.

Thomas Hardy was at the public hanging of Martha Brown and this inspired him to write Tess of the D'Urbervilles. In July 1856, Elizabeth Martha Brown was tried for the murder of her husband at the Assize Court held at Shire Hall. Found guilty, she was sentenced to death and became the last woman to be publicly hanged in the county.

The surviving records relating to the building and its use are unusually complete and of extremely high quality, meaning that there are many fascinating stories to tell about all sorts of people who passed through Shire Hall over the years.

Timeline

Shire Hall was built in 1796 – 1797 by Thomas Hardwick whose apprentice was the famous artist J.M.W Turner to replace the previous dilapidated court.

1825 - Quarter Sessions start being held a Shire Hall.

1830 - Special crime commission visit Dorchester, to try the Swing Rioters.

1834 - Tolpuddle Martyrs trial

1856 - Martha Brown tried

1861 - Death penalty limited to high treason and murder

1902 - Dorset Quarter Sessions at Shire Hall pioneer the first legal aid scheme

1919 - The law is changed to allow women to serve as magistrates and jurors Dec 23, 1919 (although only one JP was sworn in before the end of 1919)

1955 - The Shire Hall crown court moved to county hall.

1955 - Shire Hall became offices for West Dorset District Council (previously the Rural District Council)

1956 - after Shire Hall had ceased to be used as a courthouse, the TUC created a charitable trust, which took responsibility for the courtroom and cells from the Rural District and opened them to the public on certain days.

In 1968 the TUC decided to return their part of the building to the council with a covenant that the cells and courtroom had to remain open to the public, which is still in force today.

Restoration project took place between 2016 and 2017.

Today

The award-winning interactive and immersive museum tells the stories of real people as you walk in their footsteps through the museum, cells and courtroom where people's lives were changed, sometimes forever. There is a range of accessible multi-media guides, trails and interpretation for all ages.

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