The Radstock, Midsomer Norton and District Museum Society was
founded in 1985 to preserve the social and industrial heritage of the
communities of the Somerset Coalfield. The first issue of 'Five Arches',
the Journal of the Society, appeared in 1986. The Society's Collection
was first put on permanent display at Barton Meade, Haydon, in 1989.

In 1996 the old Radstock Market Hall was acquired and three years later,
on 10th July 1999, Radstock Museum opened its doors and became the
new home of The Society's Collection.