Dunster Museum & Doll Collection

Since 1921 Dunster Memorial Hall has been at the centre of village life. Given to the village by Alexander Luttrell for meetings, activities, parties, & events in remembrance of those from the village who served and those who lost their lives in the First World War. It was the prime meeting place for villagers and it has served the community well for many years.

Now our village Memorial Hall is ready for the next period of its life. We aim, with your help, to create a community facility for the 21st Century that will be a worthy addition to the village for the enjoyment of villagers and visitors alike whilst keeping the building true to itself.

Our Aim is to achieve this by providing

1. A Village Museum A History of Dunster and its Villagers with audio/visual records, documentation, artifacts, and archaeology in the Hall, and ‘Hands on’ and ‘Explore’ area on the stage. The latter will be linked to the National Curriculum and designed by our school, for children to see how the people lived in the village in days gone by. Our first major display in 2014 will be ‘2000 years of Strife in Dunster’ to remember the centenary of the start of the First World War in July 1914.

The Museum in the Hall will be designed with movable display units that allow the space to be used for villager meetings/ talks/ parties/ films shows/ coffee mornings/ presentations and the like.

2. An Information Room and kitchen, and start point for village history tours ,etc.

3. New Multi-use Toilet that will be disabled & baby change friendly.

4. As many Dolls on display as possible on a new mezzanine floor above the Main Hall

5. A village room for meetings in comfort, with seating for up to 18 people for use as a study base for children, for small presentations or intimate parties and gatherings.

6. A Lounge with sofas and WiFi Hotspot, refreshments and a local library. A quiet environment to relax in. A place for children to draw, write, study, or read, and for visitors to while away an hour or two on rainy days.

7. Free Internet for Villagers with computers provided and help if needed.

8. A ‘Victorian’ Snooker Room for that special evening or club meeting.