100 year-old bench at historic home of Dorset author successfully restored

A bench that sat at the historic home of a Dorset-born author has been restored and reinstated.

The National Trust announced the restoration of Thomas Hardy’s original bench at his former home at Max Gate in Dorchester.

Removed for conservation in 2022, the bench was send to the National Trust’s crafts team at Montacute House in Somerset.

Recent photos depict the 100-year-old bench’s previous condition, showing the craftsmanship of the team who restored it.

Thomas Hardy and Sir Edmund Gosse on the bench (Image: Dorset Museum and Art Gallery for the Dorset History Centre) A research group made up of National Trust volunteers at the Dorset History Centre provided a key contribution to the restoration effort, meticulously sifting through archives.

The bench before its restoration (Image: National Trust) They found a historic photograph featuring Hardy and fellow writer Edmund Gosse, seated on the same bench, which gave an insight to the bench’s design and wooden struts. This photograph not only authenticated the bench's originality, but also served as a blueprint during the efforts in the bench restoration.

The bench following its restoration (Image: National Trust) Following this success, the National Trust team at Max Gate now plan to restore another of Hardy's outdoor chairs. Despite its modern appearance, research has confirmed its originality and that it is of a similar period to the bench.

Max Gate (Image: National Trust, Richard Morris) Elizabeth Grant, Senior Collections and House Officer, said: “We are committed to celebrating Thomas Hardy and preserving his heritage. We were delighted to be able to bring his chair back to best for future generations to enjoy. We’d like to thank the National Trust Skilled crafts team at Montacute House and the Max Gate research group working with the Dorset History Centre for making this happen.”