Explore Poole Museum’s Collections

For the first time, in collaboration with Wessex Museums and The Museum Platform, explore Poole Museum’s Collections using our brand new online database.

From lustrous Poole Pottery vases to cannonballs salvaged from a shipwrecked Spanish galleon, what will you discover…?

Click here to begin

To start simply click on collections above to begin searching through records from the museum’s collection. You can type a keyword into the search bar if you are looking for something specific or use the filters on the left-hand side to create groups of objects from a wide range of categories.

Many of these objects have never been on display so explore and see what you can discover!

What you can currently see here is only a fraction of the museum’s total collection, around 2,000 out of over 50,000 objects. As you search you might notice that photos of objects might not be the best or descriptions could be odd, or even be flat out incorrect!

The work of documenting the museum collections is an ongoing process but we didn’t want this to hold back making the collection more accessible to anyone who wants to take a look.

As we update records, take more photographs, and accept new objects we will update our database here and you will be able to see it grow. It’s a long journey, but we are on the way!

If you spot an error, an out of focus photograph or any other issue with an object record please let us know via PooleMuseumCollections@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Poole Museum is temporarily closed to the public whilst major conservation and restoration works are underway on our exciting redevelopment project ‘Our Museum: Rediscovering Poole’s Maritime Heritage’.

Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project aims to transform Poole Museum into an outstanding cultural centre and a modern, thriving community hub, greatly enriching the experience of Poole Quay and Old Town.

You can find out more at https://www.poolemuseum.org.uk/