A movement to establish a museum at Sherborne gained momentum in the 1950s, spearheaded by local historian and author, Joseph Fowler (1872-1958), and the Sherborne Historical Society.
It wasn’t until 1966, however, that Sherborne Museum Association was founded and the challenge to find suitable premises began in earnest. Although several other options were considered, the Abbey Gatehouse was settled upon as the ideal location in the centre of the town. The purchase of the building was made possible owing to a generous donation from Frederick Marsden (1897-1981), the owner of Sherborne’s fibreglass factory, Marglass Ltd.