Frome Museum

Frome Museum stands in the Somerset town of Frome. It occupies an Italianate building of 1865, once the Literary and Scientific Institute. The architect was J Hine and the builders Carr and Pickford. The museum holds local history and industry exhibits across two display rooms and a library. Artefacts include maps, photographs and tools from James Fussel’s Ironworks. A Chemist’s Shop from Bath Street and Victorian costumes are also on show. The museum’s most notable collection comes from the bronze foundry of J. W. Singer & Sons Ltd. John Webb Singer set up the foundry in 1851. The firm made church ornaments and large statues exported worldwide. Its bronze statue of Boudica with her daughters stands beside Westminster Bridge. Singers also cast the Lady Justice above the Old Bailey and the statue of Alfred the Great at Winchester. Visitors find displays of local industry, printing presses and art nouveau Cockey lamps. A section covers the Butler and Tanner printing works. Tools from Marston House Fire Engine and blacksmithing tools are included. The building itself, Grade II listed, was restored by Chedburn Dudley and the Frome Historic Building Preservation Trust.