Barnes for all!
Fundraising Campaign
An opportunity for us all to help preserve the William Barnes Archive for the future.
Tim Laycock, looking through the many scrapbooks kept by William Barnes.
When William Barnes passed away in 1886, he left behind far more than just his poetry. He left a remarkable legacy—an extensive and wonderfully diverse collection of writings, sermons, poems, printed posters from his public lectures, personal papers, and intricate woodcuts and engravings. Together, these form a treasure trove of Victorian life and literature, offering an intimate window into the world of 19th-century Dorchester and the many roles Barnes played: poet, priest, schoolmaster, linguist, and social commentator.
This extraordinary archive—66 boxes in total—is now housed at the Dorset History Centre, held on behalf of the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery. For many years, it was lovingly cared for by members of the William Barnes Society, ensuring the preservation of Barnes’ voice and vision. Now, with the support of the Dorset Archives Trust (DAT), an exciting opportunity has emerged: to professionally catalogue and digitally preserve the entire collection, making it accessible to all—locally, nationally, and internationally.
A Milestone Achieved: £35,000 Raised!
We are thrilled to share the fantastic news that the Barnes For All! fundraising target of £35,000 has now been met! Thanks to a combination of personal donations, community fundraising, and generous grants, this vital project will begin in October. The funds will support the work of a professional archivist to fully catalogue the collection to internationally recognised standards. Many of the most significant documents will also be digitised—ensuring that students, researchers, and enthusiasts from across the globe can explore the richness of Barnes’ work online.
Chris Fowler, Chair of Dorset Archives Trust, expressed his gratitude: “It is fantastic news that we have reached our target with the combined efforts of all the generous people who contributed to this project. We could not have done this without you.”
Going Further: Digitisation and Conservation
Although the initial target has been met, we are keeping the appeal open until October 2025. Any additional donations will go directly towards conserving delicate materials and expanding the digitisation efforts, ensuring even more of the collection can be preserved and shared for generations to come.
