Friends of Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives

Friends of Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives

The main objective of the Friends of BMGA is to raise funds to support the valuable work of the Bristol Museums’ Service.  We do this by organising a full and varied programme of visits, lectures and other events for members. For further details, please click this link: about us 

For our programme of upcoming activities, please click this link: events 

So, if you are not yet a member please do consider joining us.  For  joining instructions please click this link:  join 

Examples of recent day excursions by the Friends of BMGA

In October 2024 we visited the Museum of Royal Worcester
in November, Salisbury Museum to see the new galleries following completion of the multi-million pound refurbishment
and in December, Cardiff Castle to see it trimmed for Christmas.

STOP PRESS
Archives budget cut proposal 2025 reduces search room days by 25%.
Bristol City Council's budget proposals for 2025/6 include reducing the Bristol Archives public search room opening from four days a week to three.  To read the Friends' press release issued in response to that proposal click Cuts to Bristol Archives.

Examples of recent Museum support by the Friends of BMGA

We funded the purchase of 10 pencil, pastel and watercolour drawings by local artist Rachel Hemming Bray showing the museum and some staff behind the scenes during her residency in 1993.
We also funded the acquisition of an 1831 police truncheon associated with the riots of that year. The Bristol Riots of 29-31 October 1831 were some of the largest and most significant in British history.

An example of a recent extended excursion by the Friends of BMGA

A week based in GlasgowThis excursion in September 2024 included a visit to Little Moreton Hall, Congleton on our way north. During the five days in Glasgow we visited the Burrell Collection (pictured), The Hill House, Helensburgh, the Huntarian Art Gallery, the Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery, Glasgow cathedral, the Provand's Lordship House, St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, The Riverside Museum, Holmwood House, the Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre, had a city tour led by a Blue Badge guide and took afternoon tea at the Mackintosh at the Willow tearooms.