From its foundation in 1849, until it leased the collection to Somerset County Council in 1958, the society amassed an important Collection to define the geology, biology, archaeology and social history of the county. These form the core (about 40%) of the existing County Museums Service. The members of the Society's Council are responsible for the collections as management Trustees, but the day-to-day management is the task of the County Museums Officer and his staff. Access to the collections for reference purposes is free of charge 8.30 am to 4.30 pin Monday to Fridays but please make an appointment. Members also have free access to the County Museum and Rural Life Museum (Glastonbury) on production of their membership card. There is a lively programme of exhibitions and events.

A Roman Cornelian Intaglio in a gold setting,
found in a Lover's Glade in woods near Taunton

A picture hung in the Great Hall of Taunton Castle,
of H.E.I.C. Ship Taunton Castle, owned by Sir Benjamin Hammet

Other items in the Collections are shown below, without
description to demonstrate the range of the collections.
This part of the site will be upgraded and revised as soon as possible.