Galleries, displays and research resources

The Museum

Frome Museum was founded by the Frome Society for Local Study in 1966 . Our origins lie in the 1956 Frome Historical Exhibition which led to the formation of the Frome Society in 1958.

The Building

The Museum was originally located in a building on Church Steps. Our current building, where we relocated in 1987, was originally built in 1865 for the Frome Literary and Scientific Institution.

It is a four storey building, commissioned by John Sinkins.

The entrance to the Museum is at the side of the building on North Parade.

Upper Gallery

On entering the Museum you will find yourself in the Upper Gallery.

Among the exhibits in this room are artefacts from Frome’s past: they include the once-thriving wool, metal working and printing industries, alongside arts and crafts.

A Timeline on the wall shows all the major events that took place in Frome from the year 666 until 2021.

Lower Gallery

From the Upper Gallery, there are a few steps down to the Lower Gallery, which has a number of displays including a fully-stocked vintage chemist’s shop and articles from a local veterinary practice, now closed.

There is also a selection of fascinating historical items and archaelogical finds from the area, including a significant ancient quern, which would once have been used for grinding grain.

This room is where our temporary exhibitions take place.

Derek Gill Library

Researchers are invited by appointment to use the Museum’s extensive library, named after Derek Gill, a noted local historian and author.

The library contains thousands of important historical documents from Frome’s past including deeds, directories, books, photographs, paintings and other ephemera and documentation about Frome life.

Please contact us to book a visit.

Collections Room

The Museum’s Collections Room, which is available to visit by appointment, contains hundreds of historical artefacts and documents including maps, artworks, costumes, agricultural implements, tradesmen’s and industrial tools,  and photographs.

Please contact us to book a visit.

Virtual Library

Over the past decade, Frome Museum, like many organisations, has acquired an increasing number of virtual assets, documents, photographs, etc, that only exist electronically. These objects are stored on the museum’s servers and are available to you through our online collection catalogue.

Shop

The Museum’s small shop stocks a range of local history books including publications by the Frome Society for Local Study.

Upstairs Offices and Basement Stores

The Museum has offices and work rooms on the first floor and storage areas in the basement. These areas are not open to the public.