For more than 40 years, the Cinema Museum has been preserving the history, heritage and experience of cinema. Now, the London museum is facing a crucial moment in its history – and is asking the public for help to secure its permanent home.
The Cinema Museum is raising £500,000 to purchase its historic premises, with a deadline of December. If successful, the campaign could finally bring an end to decades of uncertainty and ensure that this unique collection and community resource remains in London for generations to come.
A Unique Home for Cinema History
Based in the historic Grade II listed Lambeth Workhouse, the Cinema Museum is much more than a collection of film memorabilia. It is a living celebration of cinema-going and filmmaking, preserving the people, places, objects and experiences that have shaped the UK’s relationship with film.
The building itself has a remarkable connection to cinema history. Before becoming a Hollywood legend, Charlie Chaplin lived and worked at the Lambeth Workhouse as a child.
Inside, visitors can discover an extraordinary collection of cinema-related artefacts, including art deco cinema seats, vintage film projectors, ushers’ uniforms, film posters and countless other objects connected to the history of cinema.
The Chaplin family has even described the collection as “the nearest thing that Britain has to a Chaplin Museum.”
More Than a Museum
The Cinema Museum is also an important community and cultural hub.
The completely volunteer-run organisation hosts independent film screenings, events and educational tours, while providing free and subsidised space for charities, community groups and local initiatives.
Its collections are not simply there to be viewed. They are actively used to support projects that bring people together and make a difference to people’s lives.
The Museum also works to expand its educational and wellbeing programmes, environmental initiatives and opportunities for young people interested in pursuing careers in cinema and filmmaking.
Securing its building would give the organisation the stability it needs to develop this work further.
A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity
For decades, the Cinema Museum has faced uncertainty over the future of its premises. Property development and changes in ownership have repeatedly created the possibility that the Museum could lose its home.
Supporters have rallied around the organisation before. During the COVID-19 pandemic, generous donations helped keep the Museum open. When the potential sale of the site threatened its future, almost 70,000 people signed a petition supporting the Museum.
Now, supporters have another opportunity to help protect this important piece of London’s cultural heritage.
The Museum has secured the opportunity to purchase its buildings but needs to raise £500,000 by December to complete the deal.
Help Keep Cinema History Alive
Buying the building would not simply protect a collection. It would safeguard a unique cultural space, preserve an important connection to Britain’s cinematic past and allow the Cinema Museum to continue supporting communities, education and the next generation of people entering the film industry.
If the fundraising target is exceeded, the additional funds could help address much-needed repairs and development work, allowing the Museum to work towards opening to the public on a daily basis and expanding its programmes.
After four decades of uncertainty, this could be the opportunity to finally give the Cinema Museum a permanent home.
If you would like to support the campaign, you can find out more and donate through the Cinema Museum’s Crowdfunder campaign.
Support The Cinema Museum’s fundraising campaign
Every contribution, share and show of support can help protect this remarkable piece of cinema history for future generations.