Founded in 1929 by Dr Marie Stopes, the Portland Museum is located in two 17th cottages, one of which was the 'home' of Thomas Hardy's fictional heroine, Avice, in 'The Wellbeloved'. Marie Stopes was the Museum's first curator.

The Museum is located in the heart of the Island of Portland, overlooking Church Ope Cove, a favourite local spot for swimming, and a few yards from Rufus Castle, a Medieval ruin. This small Museum prides itself on a collection that covers all aspects of island life, across the centuries, from the Jurassic to the present, and is based on the themes of Stone, Sea, Archaeology and social history and famous people with connections to Portland. The paintings in our collection, whilst not many in number, complement the collection in these themed areas.