Frome’s history kept alive at town’s independent museum

Behind the doors of 1 North Parade, Frome Museum is keeping the town’s history alive with fascinating exhibitions and events for all ages.

Based in the town centre, the museum is independently run by enthusiastic volunteers who are keen to share Frome’s heritage.

The museum’s origins lie in the 1956 Frome Historical Exhibition, which led to the formation of the Frome Society in 1958 — the forerunner to today’s museum. Today, the museum is the proud owner of the iconic Frome Literary and Scientific Institution building, which opened in 1869.

Michael Maggs, who has been chair for the past 18 months, has a personal link to the museum, with one of the exhibitions featuring his grandfather’s pharmacy, formerly based at 20 Bath Street.

Over the past year and a half, the volunteer team has focused on boosting community engagement, working with local organisations to share Frome’s history and encourage more visitors through the doors.

Part of this work included a recent revamp, with the museum’s interior redecorated and refurbished, and a new children’s area created with dressing-up clothes and games.

“Children absolutely love the museum,” said Michael. “They can come in and dress up as various professions that existed in Frome, including the textile worker, blacksmith, manual worker, vet, shepherd and even the carnival queen.”

The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 3pm, and until 5pm on Thursdays. It also opens during the monthly Independent Market.

“During market days, children come running in, dressing up and having great fun,” said Michael. “We also have a simple trail where they have to find Lulu’s lambs, which have gone missing. It’s so simple but children really love it.”

To build on this success, the museum has launched a Children’s Working Group. Michael explained, “We now have a number of people, including teachers and former teachers, who are very keen to encourage more children. They naturally know what different age groups like, and we’re exploring different ways to engage them.”

He added, “In general, we are getting more people through the door, which is great.”

As a charity, securing funding remains a key focus. “Finding sources of funding and applying for grants is vital,” said Michael. “We also make money by letting out some of the rooms upstairs to artists. Running the building is incredibly expensive, so it’s essential we keep finding ways to fund it.”

Currently, an exhibition at the museum tells the story of The Great Clearance — the plan to demolish and flatten the Trinity area, then seen as a slum.

“On 4th June, we open part two of the exhibition, which will focus on the community resistance to the plans,” said Michael. “It’s one of the first examples of the Frome community coming together to campaign.”

The new exhibition draws a link between this moment in history and current campaigns in the town, such as Mayday Saxonvale’s efforts to secure a community-led development and People for Packsaddle’s fight to save Packsaddle Fields from development.