Red House Museum
Quay Road, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 1BU
tel 01202 482860
All talk for 2018
Wednesday 12 September 2pm – ‘Lords of Christchurch 1331-1480s’ Talk by David Eels a local author and historian. This talk is based on David’s research for his recently published book ‘Lords of Christchurch 1331-1480s’. This research reveals various local events of the period, including troops mustered at Christchurch for some of Henry Vs French Campaigns. £2.50/£4.50 Friends/visitors, to include refreshments. Call 01202 482860 to book.
Wednesday 26 September 2pm – Professor Colin Divall makes a return visit to The Red House Museum to present a newly researched talk ‘The Southampton and Dorchester Railways “Lady Wimbourne Bridge”. The Real Story’. £2.50/£4.50 Friends/visitors, to include refreshments. Call 01202 482860 to book.
Wednesday 10 October 2pm – ‘An Overview of The Archaeology of Dorset’ talk by Claire Pinder, Senior Archaeologist, Dorset. £2.50/£4.50 Friends/visitors, to include refreshments. Call 01202 482860 to book.
Wednesday 24 October 2pm – A talk by Joan MacCarty ‘Women at War – Petticoats, Stockings and Tin Hats’ A feminine view of war. £2.50/£4.50 Friends/visitors, to include refreshments. Call 01202 482860 to book.
Wednesday 14 November 2pm– Shirley Critchley will be visiting Christchurch to give a talk entitled ‘A WWI Sunken Secret’. This talk covers the remarkable life story of the second Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, grandfather of the present Lord Montagu. £2.50/£4.50 Friends/visitors, to include refreshments. Call 01202 482860 to book.
Wednesday 28 November 2pm – Robyn Bolam presents ‘An afternoon of inspiration by Hampshire Poet 2018’ including details of early women poets from Hampshire and one or two linked to Dorset. £2.50/£4.50 Friends/visitors, to include refreshments. Call 01202 482860 to book.
Wednesday 12 December 2pm – ‘Exploring the Dorset Stour’ John Combes Wildlife Photographer and lecturer will be giving an illustrated talk following the course of the River Stour and surrounding areas from Hengistbury Head to Stourhead. This will include some of John’s sound recordings and musical arrangements. £2.50/£4.50 Friends/visitors, to include refreshments. Call 01202 482860 to book.
Normal Opening Times
Tuesday to Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturday 10am – 4pm
Admission Free
Access
- Public car parking 50 metres away
- Level access to ground floor displays, café, shop and gardens
- Stairs to upper levels
- Accessible toilet
There is a Local Studies Resource Room on the first floor of the Red House Museum. Visitors can access the resources here during our opening hours. No need to book. However if you wish to view our originals source material or archives you will need to contact us in advance to make an appointment.
The museum collection include archive maps, plans, books, letters and printed ephemera, dating from the early nineteenth century.
The photographic collection includes postcards, albums and slides from the Victorian period to the present day. We have made copies of many of these photographs which are available in Local Studies Resource Room and are available on a drop in basis. We have also made some of these images available on public access computer in the museum.
These folders are categorized by location, and include the Christchurch area, the outlying villages and parts of Bournemouth. There are also copies of trade directories from nineteenth and twentieth century to assist family genealogists. The resource room also contains information about local themes such as transport, the Priory and notable people. Our folders also have articles, guides and notes about past exhibitions held at the museum.
The museum is able to provide colour or black and white copy of image from the extensive photographic and art collection for private use for a small fee. If you are interested in using our images for commercial purposes please contact us for further details.
The museum works closely with local partners including Christchurch Local History Society who also hold and extensive local history archive covering the town and district. You can contact them at them 01202 482450.
Originally a workhouse which dates from 1745 which was a thatched barn standing on the site of our art gallery. The current museum was first built as a workhouse in 1764.
The workhouse would have housed the poor, although everyone who was able had to work to earn their keep. Up to 200 men, woman and children lived in these buildings at one time!
After the Poor Law Act in 1834, when the Christchurch & Bournemouth Poor Law Union was created, families entering the workhouse would have been separated. The workhouse would have provided health care and education for the children. In 1881 a new workhouse was completed on Fairmile Road, now Christchurch Hospital, and the Red House became the home for the Vicar of Christchurch, the Reverend Bush.
