Frome Museum is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a new exhibition exploring the museum’s history, collections and future.

The 60th Anniversary Exhibition runs from 13 October to 6 December and traces the development of the museum from its early days on Church Steps, when it opened under the auspices of the Frome Society with a bank balance of just £150, through its subsequent premises in Wine Street, to its present iconic listed building on North Parade

The North Parade building has a history of its own. It was built in 1869 for the Frome Literary and Scientific Institution (the “Lit & Sci”), a high-minded Victorian club where, for an annual subscription of half a guinea, members and their guests could make use of a private library, reading room and museum. The exhibition will include a selection of early Lit & Sci archives that have never previously been displayed.

The exhibition highlights some of the people who were instrumental in the museum’s early years, memories of much-loved past exhibitions, and includes examples from both the museum’s early and more recent collections.

It looks at the museum’s work today, including engagement with local community organisations and schools, as well as with local villages such as Witham Friary. Looking to the future, it considers the role the museum plays within Frome’s communities, and how it can continue to develop as a central hub for local history and culture, a centre for local history research, and a pivotal visitor attraction.

There are plenty of opportunities for visitors to contribute their views, including suggestions for the future development of the museum’s collections and ideas for exhibitions in 2027.

Opening hours

Entry to the exhibition is free.

The Exhibition runs from 13 October to 6 December at Frome Museum.

Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 3pm, plus Independent Sundays. Entry is free.