Set in an original victorian family home, Penlee House Gallery and Museum houses fine art, photographic, social history, archaeological and natural history collections. Visitors can enjoy the wonders of the gallery before browsing around the shop and having a bite to eat in the café.
Though best known for its collection of Newlyn School paintings, Penlee House also boasts an extensive archaeological collection spanning the centuries, from the prehistoric period through to the 19th century. The archaeology gallery is both captivating and informative; it displays objects from each period in history and informs of archaeological sites which are accessible to the public.
Penlee House says that: “Archaeology is the study of human history through the material remains of our ancestors. This gallery offers a chance to discover the past people of the Penwith district.”
Cornwall is rich in archaeological artefacts, largely due to the fact that it is relatively underdeveloped and has been isolated from intensive farming. This means that many objects have been preserved and collected hundreds of years later, then gifted to Penlee House, who collect and display artefacts found within the Penwith district.
The archaeological gallery is truly inspirational, as it highlights the importance of understanding and appreciating our past.
