A project to unveil thousands of items from Thomas Hardy’s archive is set to launch.

Dorset History Centre has raised £68,000 to acquire more than 150 boxes of documents after an appeal in 2023.

Organisations like the Dorset Archives Trust and Thomas Hardy Society were involved in fundraising and now want to make the archives accessible online.

The money raised will help fund staffing and resources needed for the Unlocking Hardy Project.

Previously, people wishing to view the collection had to contact the centre to be given access to the material.

This 18-month project will create a free online catalogue, ensuring Hardy’s archives will be discoverable and usable for all.

It includes diaries, letters, books, photographs, architectural plans, manuscript novels and poetry.

The centre surpassed it’s fundraising target of £60,000 to unlock the archives, with grants from the National Archives, Cooper Dean, Valentine & National Trusts, as well as donations from private donors.

Project archivist, Ruth Burton, has been hired to catalogue the archives.

She said: “I am sure that it will uncover many hidden gems about Thomas Hardy’s life and work – which in turn will give new insights about the characters in and the settings of his novels and poetry.

“Hardy’s literature has inspired generation after generation, and now so much more will be known about this amazing author.”

The history centre said it would be looking for volunteers to join the project, which launches in April, once Ms Burton is settled into her role.

A centre spokesperson said: “Most likely it will be sometime around late spring or early summer when we are in a position to accept applications.

“We would encourage anyone interested in volunteering to keep your eyes peeled on our website.”

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