Helston Folk Museum

Last updated: 24/08/2012 Add to My Bookmarks Subscribe

Providing a unique and uncommercialised insight into the lives and history of the people of Helston and the Lizard area.

Helston Museum is one of the largest folk museums in the South West, hosting a massive collection of exhibitions arranged carefully over two floors and five separate halls. From the narrow frontage protected by a cannon from the HMS Anson, the building opens up and extends back to provide a fascinating understanding of days gone by.

Location map - how to find the Helston Folk Museum

About the Museum

The Museum building itself offers a valuable insight into the history and architecture of the town. Although the museum was founded in 1949, the building was originally designed as the town's Market House in 1837, with two separate buildings - one for butter and eggs, the other the meat market.

The Museum expanded into the meat market in the early 1980s, then into the adjoining Drill Hall in 1999. A suspended gallery, the Loft, was also added at this time that in turn allowed the creation of the mezzanine art gallery.

A notable feature in front of the building is a cannon salvaged from the wreck of the frigate HMS Anson which foundered off Loe Bar in 1807. Around 100 sailors' lives were lost in the disaster which led to the pioneering work of Henry Trengrouse, featured in the Museum's Drill Hall.

The Museum's collection reflects both the social and industrial history of The Lizard Peninsula, from mining, fishing and farming through to home life in the 18^th-20^th centuries.

The displays are complemented by the mezzanine gallery, used for regular art exhibitions and workshops, and the museum shop that provides a fine range of silver and local jewellery, cards, local books and minerals.

About the shop

In the shop we sell local books, prints (including children's) a wide range of cards; silver, pewter and tin jewellery, serpentine items, minerals and gemstones.

Come and visit Helston Museum and shop (full disabled access)