The fine façade, from the 16th century, is all that remains of the original building that now houses the Bridport Museum, in South Street. In 1931 Captain Alfred Codd purchased the building, "The Old Castle", and donated it to the town to be used as a museum and art gallery. Originally Codd bought it for £1,800.00 to house his own, large art collection. He then gave the building to Bridport Borough Council on the condition that the Council would pay for the necessary alterations to turn it into a museum and art gallery.

The Council also bought his art collection for a nominal fee of £20. It opened on 28th May 1932 and was administered by Bridport Borough Council until 1974. Captain Codd was a keen amateur artist and his paintings form the basis of the Fine Art Collection today.

The Museum gained full Registration in March 2002 through the development of new displays and work on documentation of the collections by a dedicated team of volunteers. In Nov 2002, after 28 years of ownership, West Dorset District Council handed over the building, collections and staff to the Bridport Museum Trust, an independent charitable trust set up to manage the organisation. The Council continues to provide funding and support to the Trust.

The Museum tells the story of the town's history from its origins to the present day with notable displays on artefacts from a nearby Roman hill-fort and the world famous rope and net making industries. As well as the permanent displays there is a programme of temporary exhibitions. Photographs, costume, lace, dolls, numismatics, and fine art are among the collections held. The Local History Collection contains a wide range of materials for people researching their local or family history.