Collection: Frome Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  The Museum was established in 1967 with the purpose of preserving Frome’s important industrial past which was fast disappearing. Since the late 20th century Frome has grown fast into the vibrant artisan town it is today.

  The current collections reflect the history of Frome and surrounding neighbourhood up to 2019. All periods are covered. Currently most items are in a physical format – but in the future more digital surrogates will be held as required.

  The collections have developed almost entirely through donations alone. It is not Museum policy to take items on loan unless there are special reasons to do so.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2019

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  Strengths include two collections of national significance:

  • The Singer’s Art Metal Works collection
  • The Garston Veterinary Museum (donated in 2017).

  The scope of the collections today span:

  • Industrial history
  • Veterinary history
  • Social, political, economic, cultural and religious history
  • Visual art (relating to the area or by local artists)
  • Costume (mostly Victorian or later)
  • Geology, archaeology and Selwood Forest (natural history)
  • Performance (FAOS / FMTS)

  Notable strengths include:

  • Metal working
  • Printing and the book trades
  • The wool trades

  The collections by material type include:

  • Artefacts reflecting the full scope of our collections as listed above.
  • Substantial library and archive
  • Historical maps
  • Visual art
  • Historic costumes
  • Geological specimens
  • Archaeological artefacts
  • Recordings (audio and film)

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2019

  Licence: CC BY-NC