About the Museum
‘Committed to Memory’
We are passionate about cinema. Passionate about the artefacts that surround it, the talent it has nurtured and the precious memories it has created. We are ‘committed to memory’ because we want to protect and share the past as a means of helping create cinema’s future.
The Cinema Museum is a Registered Charity (No. 293285) and a company limited by guarantee 1865840. It receives no public funding.
Our Mission
The Museum exists to collect, preserve and share cinema and cinema-going history. We want to educate, engage and delight by using its assets creatively.
We’re ambitious, with goals including:
- Providing security for our growing collection
- Making cinema history accessible and affordable
- Collecting, investigating and celebrating cinema artefacts and memories
- Encouraging newcomers to enter cinema, film and museum-based careers and volunteering
- Developing and delivering cinema-related wellbeing programmes
If you think you might like to help us, read about ways to get involved.
The Museum’s Home
We are based in the former Lambeth Workhouse, which Charlie Chaplin entered as a child when his mother faced destitution. This connection is highlighted by the Museum’s many Chaplin artefacts, including – as a centrepiece – a striking sculpture of the ‘Little Tramp’.
The building provides an atmospheric backdrop for cinema-related filming and is an ideal venue for events, screenings, book launches, and exhibitions.
See details of the spaces we have for hire here.
the Collection
The Museum houses a unique collection of artefacts, memorabilia and equipment that preserves the history of cinemagoing from the 1890s to the present day.
The collection is of national and international importance and we attract visitors from across the world. You can get a glimpse of the collection here, and learn how to book a guided tour here.
