Latest news
‘The History of Cinema in Frome’ continues. October’s Object of the Month is a 1960s film projector, which can be seen as part of the display.
A new exhibition about the eventful history of the Frome Memorial Theatre site opens on 15 October.
The History of Cinema in Frome
5 September - 16 November
Our new exhibition recounts the history of Frome’s cinemas.
Since about 1890, five picture houses have been open at different times in Frome, all within half a mile of the Market Place.
The history of of these cinemas, from Bray’s in Vicarage Street to the Westway in Cork Street, tells a fascinating story.
100 Years of Frome Memorial Theatre
15 October - 16 November
Frome Memorial Hall was opened in 1924, built by public subscription in memory of those from Frome and the surrounding areas who died in the Great War.
Over the years the site has been a theatre, a cinema, a dancehall and an events venue.
Visit our new exhibition to find out more about its fascinating history.
Object of the Month
This month’s object is a vintage cinema projector.
This month’s object from the museum’s collection was used for many years in the Westway Cinema in Cork Street, probably from when the cinema opened in 1970.
This model (2001 – A73) was manufactured by Westrex Co. Ltd. in the late 1960s and was designed for 35mm films. It is heavy and cumbersome and would have been replaced at the earliest opportunity by Westway, probably when the large cinema hall was converted to three screens. Digital cinema became widespread in the 2000s, making film projection obsolete.
This projector was acquired by the museum at auction, and currently has pride of place in the temporary exhibition exploring the history of Frome cinemas.
Calling all researchers!
Following several years of development by a team of expert volunteers, the museum’s new online collections catalogue, with tens of thosands of records covering the history of Frome, is now available to all public researchers.
Accessible online via this website, Axiell Collections is faster in terms of searches and downloads than the previous system and will futureproof the museum with its ability to supports new technical developments in the future.
Together with this year’s refreshed branding and new approach to exhibitions and events, it strengthens the museum’s reputation as one of the most advanced small museums in the south west.
Please support your museum
Frome Museum is entirely run by a team of enthusiastic and committed volunteers.
We receive no regular funding and are dependent on the funds we raise ourselves and on donations from our visitors and supporters.
Thank you for keeping the museum at the heart of the community in Frome.
