The 'little keep' (part of the former Militia Barracks, dating from 1866) was incorporated into the new Depot.
The Dorchester Depot Barracks were built between 1877 and 1881[2] on the site of a Militia barracks, which had been established there little over a decade earlier.[3] Their creation took place as part of the Cardwell Reforms which encouraged the localisation of British military forces.[4] The site included a large parade ground, which was laid out between the Keep (or armoury) and the building now known as the 'little keep' and flanked by brick-built barrack blocks (including separate accommodation for officers and other ranks), the officers' mess, a gymnasium, stores, offices and other ancillary buildings.[5]
During the Second World War the barracks were occupied by 701st Ordnance Light Maintenance Company and the 1st Quartermaster Company of the United States Army.[5]
Parts of the former depot barracks are now occupied by Royal Mail
In 1958 the Dorset Regiment amalgamated with the Devonshire Regiment to form the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment and Regimental Headquarters were re-located to Wyvern Barracks in Exeter.[2] The site of the barracks was redeveloped; some buildings (including the long soldiers' barracks block on the west side) were demolished, but several others were sold, being taken over by the County Council and the Royal Mail in the 1960s; a tax office was built on the parade ground. Only the keep was retained by the Ministry of Defence.[2] In 2016 the Council sold one of the former barrack blocks for conversion into residential properties.[7]
Alongside the depot barracks, across Poundbury Road, stood the older Cavalry Barracks (opened in 1795 and later known as Marabout Barracks).[8] Most of that site remains in military use as Dorchester's Army Reserve Centre.[9]
The museum occupies the keep of the original barracks. It is a Grade II listed building and the ground floor preserves its previous layout. The museum is entered through the ammunition and powder store, and through this is the archway that used to lead to the rest of the barracks. Close to the archway are the guardroom and cells, one of which is equipped as it would have been when it housed prisoners. In the west tower is a rope winding gear to hoist weapons, ammunition and other stores to the upper floors.[12]
The first floor is gained by a spiral stair and is now the regimental museum with a display of uniforms, weapons and equipment used by the regiment during its 300-year history. The second floor has a display of campaign and gallantry medals as well as exhibits showing small arms and silverware. The third floor has displays of objects and information on the recent military history of the regiment, places where it has been deployed and events in which it has taken part. Above this is the battlements where there are extensive views of the town and surrounding countryside.[12]
^ ab"Training Depots". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 10 February 2006. Retrieved 16 October 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
