Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum

The Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum tells the harrowing tale of the Martyrs' arrest, trial and punishment, which led to the foundation of modern day trade unionism.

The group of were arrested in 1839 for and convicted of swearing a secret oath as members of the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers, now seen as the first Trade Union. They were transported to Australia, but eventually pardoned and returned to England.

The museum is a modern, informative, and educational exhibition, using interactive touch screen displays new graphic panels telling the story in text and images. The museum sets out the Martyrs' story in four sections: Before the arrest, The Oath and Betrayal, Transportation, and the Homecoming.

The museum evolved from library which formed part of the Tolpuddle Martyrs' Memorial Cottages, built in 1934 to mark the centenary of the Martyrs' conviction. The library, meant for use by the workers living in the cottages, soon became a depository for various artefacts, documents and memorabilia relating to the history of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Over the years, a rather ad hoc display telling the story of the Martyrs had evolved into the Tolpuddle Martyrs' Museum.

Tolpuddle has long been a place of pilgrimage for trade unionists and visitors from the UK and around the world, for young and old alike.

Visitors can discover for themselves how the Tolpuddle Martyrs changed the face of social history and, through their beliefs and actions, made such an impact on society.