It has been wonderful to welcome Maddie into the team at Shire Hall Museum. In this blog, she reflects on her time at the Museum and some of the brilliant work she has been doing.
As a part of my history undergraduate degree at the University of the West of England, for the past six months, I have been working as a placement student here at the Shire Hall Museum. One day a week I have joined the Shire Hall team to carry out a number of projects and tasks.
My main project for Shire Hall during my placement has been to research reformative legislature in regards to juvenile offenders in Victorian Britain, in particular taking a look at reformatory schools, which were certified with the passing of the Youthful Offenders Act of 1854. What I have loved the most about this project was the opportunity to learn more about the history of juvenile criminal justice in the local area.
In looking at the court proceedings of the children who were tried and sentenced to confinement within a reformatory school while on trial here at Shire Hall, as well as researching the local reformatories (such as the Milborne St. Andrew Reformatory School), I have been able to find out a lot of interesting information about the history of youth offending in Dorset.
Another of my roles during my placement has been to write blog posts for the Shire Hall Museum website, a task which I have also thoroughly enjoyed. In my blogs I have written about a range of topics, such as Christmas Day in Victorian prisons, The Long Crichel Boys, and the Great Fire of Dorchester in 1613. From this, I have learnt about some fascinating topics, which I previously had no knowledge of.
During my placement, I have also been able to help the Learning Manager at Shire Hall Museum, Anne Brown, with her Lifelong Learning Programme. Through this programme, Anne delivers incredible workshops, educating visitors of all ages on a series of interesting historical topics, which always successfully engage those in attendance. In helping with a few of these sessions, I have been able to see how Anne’s work directly helps and informs the local community, specifically teaching them about Dorchester’s regional history.
Despite living near the area my entire life, my knowledge of local history was extremely limited, if not non-existent. My favourite thing about working at Shire Hall Museum has been learning about the area I have grown up in and hearing the fascinating stories of individuals from history who also lived here.
As well as sparking my interest for local history, my time at Shire Hall has given me the opportunity to gain invaluable experience that has taught me a number of skills. Through my work, I have had the opportunity to perfect my research skills and refine my professional writing, both of which will help me when finishing my degree.
Each and every member of the Shire Hall teams has been extremely welcoming, helpful, and kind to me during my time here and all have taught me a lot about working in the public history industry. Anne in particular has been amazing, always helping me whenever needed and encouraging me in my work. I could not have asked for a better mentor to guide me. Working at Shire Hall Museum has been an absolute pleasure, and I will miss my time spent here.