Museo de Frome

El Museo de Frome, situado en Frome , Somerset , Inglaterra, alberga una colección de historia local y cuenta con una colección particularmente importante de objetos procedentes de la fundición de bronce de JW Singer .

Hay dos salas de exposición y una biblioteca, con muestras de numerosos objetos industriales locales, mapas y fotografías. Las colecciones incluyen objetos arqueológicos e históricos locales relacionados con el desarrollo histórico de Frome y sus alrededores. Una exposición está dedicada a la imprenta Butler and Tanner de la ciudad, incluyendo una antigua imprenta. Otra exposición muestra fotografías, diagramas, planos y herramientas de la fundición de hierro de James Fussel en Mells . Se exhibe una lámpara Cockey , de estilo art nouveau ; aún se pueden ver más de 60 en la ciudad. Otras exposiciones muestran artículos de Bussman Cooper (más tarde Beswicks), el camión de bomberos de Marston House , la herrería local, una farmacia de Bath Street y una colección de trajes victorianos y posteriores. ^{[ 1 ]}

There is a large selection of photographs, glass negatives and art metalworks from the local company Messrs J.W.Singer & Sons Ltd.^[2] John Webb Singer was born in Frome and established his foundry in 1851. The company made brass ornaments for local churches and became known through the Oxford Movement within the Church of England which led to increasing demand for church ornaments.^[3] In addition to church work, the company developed the facilities and expertise to create large statues, which were exported around the world.^[4] One of the first such statues was a copy of General Gordon riding a camel. The company was also responsible for the bronze statue of Boudica with her daughters in her war chariot (furnished with scythes after the Persian fashion), commissioned by Prince Albert and executed by Thomas Thornycroft. It was not cast in bronze until 1902, 17 years after Thornycrofts death, and now stands next to Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament, London.^[5] The statue of Lady Justice on the dome above the Old Bailey was executed by the British sculptor, F. W. Pomeroy and cast by Singers. The statue of Alfred the Great at Winchester was a further commission.^[6]

The Italianate building was built as a Literary and Scientific Institute in 1865 for John Sinkins. The architect was J Hine and the builders were Carr and Pickford. It is a Grade II listed building.^[7] Conservation of the building was undertaken by Chedburn Dudley in conjunction with the Frome Historic Building Preservation Trust.^[8]