Museum of Cornish Life facts for kids
The Museum of Cornish Life is a fun museum located in the town of Helston, which is in Cornwall, England. You can find it right behind the Helston Guildhall, a historic town building. This museum used to be called the Helston Museum.
The building where the museum is now was first built in 1837. It was designed to be the town's Market House, a place where people could buy and sell goods.
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A Look at the Museum's History
During the First World War, a part of the British army, the 4th Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, used this building. They used it as a "drill hall," which was a place for soldiers to practice their drills and training.
The museum itself first opened its doors in the market hall in 1949. Over the years, it grew bigger! In the early 1980s, it expanded into the area that used to be the meat market. Then, in 1999, it took over the old Drill Hall next door, making even more space for its collections.
What You Can See at the Museum
Right in front of the museum, you'll see a large cannon. This cannon was found and brought up from the sea after a shipwreck! It came from a ship called HMS Anson, which was a type of warship called a frigate. The ship sank near Loe Bar on December 29, 1807.
The museum has many interesting items that show what life was like in the Lizard Peninsula area of Cornwall. You can learn about different jobs people did, like mining, fishing, and farming. There are also exhibits that show how people lived in their homes from the 1700s to the 1900s. It's a great way to see how things have changed over time!
Who Runs the Museum Today?
For a long time, the Cornwall Council managed the museum. But in August 2013, a local group called the South Kerrier Heritage Trust took over. This Trust is a registered charity, which means it's a group that works to help the community. Most of the daily work at the museum is done by amazing volunteers who give their time to keep the museum running.
More to Explore
- Culture of Cornwall
Find Out More Online
- Museum of Cornish Life - Visit their official website!
