LITTLE BOOK OF
TREASURES Discover special objects that call Cornwall home
Exploring Cornwall’s museums & galleries
Terry Frost – Orchard Tambourine B credit is © courtesy of the estate of Terry Frost
TREASURES TO FIND IN CORNWALL’S MUSEUMS Beautiful beaches, dramatic coastline, worldclass gardens and more, Cornwall really is the perfect place to enjoy together. Dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover some special objects that call Cornwall home. We’ve been on a mission to track down these treasures, from original Bagpuss drawings to a real Sea King helicopter, there’s something to appeal to all ages. From Porthcurno to Truro this guide gives you a good excuse to discover new places and new treasures that add to Cornwall’s rich heritage, and along the way you’re sure to find new beaches, picnic spots and enjoy a cream tea or two. So whatever your age, whatever your interest - grab this guide and get hunting.
MUST SEE
OBJECTS National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Falmouth Art Gallery
Ben Ainslie’s Olympic gold medal winning Finn from the London 2012 games.
Venus attired by the Graces Anne Killigrew (1660 – 1685)
If you touch the sails, you can still taste the salt from his gold medal win at Weymouth. Ainslie has won four golds and one silver at five consecutive Olympic games, crowning him the most successful Olympic sailor of all time. Three of those gold medals were won in the Finn that you can see at National Maritime Museum Cornwall, called Rita. Ainslie won his first Olympic medal at Atlanta 1996, taking silver in the Laser class aged just 19. Four years later he took his first gold at Sydney - the Museum also has this boat. After Sydney, he switched to the larger Finn class where he dominated the next 12 years, winning Olympic gold at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
Artists of this period loved hidden stories, so this work possibly refers to Anne Killigrew’s day-job as maid of honour to the future Queen, Mary of Modena. The Killigrews were one of the leading families in Cornwall, the main road into Falmouth still bears the family name. This rare oil painting will be on permanent display throughout 2013.
Penlee House Gallery & Museum
Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
Royal Cornwall Museum
The Rain it Raineth Every Day Norman Garstin (1847 – 1926)
World War 2 tunnels
Explore the Main Gallery and discover fascinating objects that tell the (condensed) story of Cornwall from the 40,000 BC to the present day.
Painted in 1889 by a Newlyn School artist, this is perhaps the most famous painting in Penlee’s collection. Depicting Penzance promenade on a wet day, the image is known the world over, but only at Penlee can you see it ‘in the flesh’ and then wander 100 yards down the road to stand in the artist’s footsteps.
“A STUNNING COLLECTION OF NEWLYN COLONY ART ... PENLEE SHOWS OFF THE INSPIRATION THAT THIS PART OF CORNWALL HAS GIVEN TO SO MANY ARTISTS...” TripAdvisor
More than an object, the secret tunnels with their bomb-proof escape steps are the ‘must see’ feature of the museum. The heavy blast-proof doors tell you this place was of vital importance, and you are about to step into history. There is a real sense of adventure as you go from bright sunshine into this cool, dark space. Inside, working telegraph equipment whirs and buzzes away and visitors are instantly immersed in the WW2 story. Don’t miss the spectacular escape steps; carved from the granite hillside by Cornish miners; leading you to the viewing platform high above Porthcurno valley.
Here you can marvel at the Trewinnard Coach, see the earliest surviving passenger rail vehicle and set eyes on examples of real Cornish gold. Learn about explorer, Richard Lander’s Medical Chest and find out just how tall Anthony Payne, the ‘Cornish Giant’ was!
HISTORY &
HERITAGE Royal Cornwall Museum
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
The Lunulae
Leonard Hussey’s Banjo
Among the most beautiful objects ever unearthed in Cornwall are four gold collars, called Lunulae because of their moon-like shape. Three are on display at the Royal Cornwall Museum whilst the fourth is at the British Museum. Because they were all found by accident long ago, they are hard to date but they were probably used between 2300 and 2900 BC. They seem certain to have been used by an elite, high status group and to have huge symbolic value.
On the 24 April 1916, Shackleton and five of his men set out for South Georgia in the 23ft boat the James Caird on a journey of 800 miles that would cross the most ‘tempestuous stormswept area of water in the world.’ Shackleton left behind 22 men, stranded on Elephant Island, awaiting rescue. One of those men was Leonard Hussey, meteorologist on board the Endurance, who kept the crew entertained with his banjo playing. When the Endurance sank, five months earlier, Shackleton insisted that the banjo should be saved, recognising its importance to the men’s morale. Shackleton told Hussey: “It’s vital mental medicine, and we shall need it.” He was right; the banjo provided hours of entertainment whilst the crew were waiting to be rescued.
Falmouth Art Gallery
Penlee House Gallery & Museum
Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
The Lady of Shalott John William Waterhouse (1849 – 1917)
Among the Missing Walter Langley (1852 – 1922)
‘Regen’ telegraph system
This painting is known throughout the world and is Falmouth Art Gallery Collection’s most famous work. It is the study for the finished painting in Leeds Art Gallery, although many critics prefer the vitality and freedom of brush work shown in this picture. Based on Lord Tennyson’s poem, it illustrates the moment when she breaks a curse forbidding her from looking through the window and down upon Camelot. She stops weaving the view reflected in the mirror and glances through the window to see Sir Lancelot.
The magic of Penlee House is seeing world-class art in a completely relevant local context.
John William Waterhouse RA (1849-1917): The Lady of Shalott - from the poem by Tennyson, oil on canvas, Falmouth Art Gallery Collection. FAMAG:1923.15
Paintings like Walter Langley’s astonishing watercolour ‘Among the Missing’ depict real events in the local community – here the loss of a fishing boat: a telegram has been posted on the wall of Newlyn post office giving the name of the lost boat and listing the fishermen who were ‘among the missing’.
The Regenerator System, or ‘Regen’, isn’t just an impressive set of instruments which revolutionised the telegraph system; it feels like a living, breathing thing. The constant whirring hum it generates is evocative of another era and will transport you back in time to when the telegraph, not email, was the fastest way to communicate. This exhibit explains the journey of a telegram from one side of the world to another. You will often find a dedicated volunteer tinkering and labouring over regen; keeping it buzzing away for another 90 years to come.
FAMILY DAY OUT Falmouth Art Gallery
Penlee House Gallery & Museum
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing Keith Newstead (b.1956)
School is Out Elizabeth Forbes (1859 – 1912)
Falmouth is renowned for its automata makers. The “father” of the Falmouth automata makers is Peter Markey who taught for many years in the town. Falmouth Art Gallery’s automata collection incorporates many local makers of
national recognition including Keith Newstead who made this beautiful and fun automata… turn the handle and jump out of your skin when the wolf goes SNAP!
Painted just before the artist’s marriage to fellow Newlyn School artist Stanhope Forbes,this much-loved painting shows a local school as it was in 1889. The model for the little boy crying was a boy called Richard Spargo and the two red-haired girls laughing at him are his big sisters: schools may have changed, but family relationships probably haven’t!
Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Royal Cornwall Museum
Light interactives exhibit
The Sea King helicopter
What can a vanishing pig tell you about light? We’ll let you discover that for yourself! Seven interactive stations allow you to play with light; bouncing it, splitting it and mixing it.
Dress up as a pilot, immerse yourself in the daring rescues performed by these maritime rescue crews and climb aboard the 70ft Sea King helicopter, experiencing the feats of extraordinary bravery saving lives at sea.
Our Unwrapping the Past Gallery has plenty for families to enjoy with artefacts from Greek, Roman and Egyptian civilisations. Find out what job you would have had in Ancient Egypt, try building a Greek temple and have a go in our ‘Mummy Factory’.
Through these fun games and challenges adults and children can get hands-on with science; discovering how light behaves and how it can be manipulated. Discover how you use light to communicate every time you send an email or use a mobile phone with high-tech fibre optics.
“BRILLIANT! BEST VALUE FOR MONEY OF THE WHOLE HOLIDAY” THE CREIGHTON FAMILY AGED 6 TO 60
Become an archaeologist as you play ‘Ancientopoly’, a brilliant interactive game which challenges players to travel to the Ancient World and includes lots of tasks and fun activities. Our year-round family trail encourages children (and their adults!) to don Pith helmets and become adventurers.
TODDLER
FUN Royal Cornwall Museum
Get up close to the plants, fungi and animals of Cornwall in our Natural History Gallery. Listen to and learn about different birdsong, discover the creatures that live on our beaches and take a close-up look at
Penlee House Gallery & Museum
insects in our Discovery Area The gallery is particularly toddler friendly with a range of activities from puzzles and puppets to its very own seal cave!
Penlee House strives to offer an enjoyable visit for all ages, providing free quiz sheets for older children and drawing materials for younger ones, together with a trolleyfull of activities to help younger visitors explore the museum. The adjacent park also has an excellent children’s play area to let off that excess energy!
Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Falmouth Art Gallery
Make and take activities
Survival Zone
The museum offers familyfriendly activities every day, and themes change regularly. These always include something creative for young visitors to make and then take home to treasure, from colourful flags to Victorian paper dolls.
From life rafts to lifeboats, life jackets to safety helmets, rope rescue lines and oars, the survival zone has it all and challenges you to become a hero.
Illustrations from Bagpuss Peter Firman (b.1928)
Dressing up boxes are another popular activity with young families in mind, and give everyone an opportunity to put themselves into the Porthcurno story.
“A GEM OF A MUSEUM. FULL OF LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL INTEREST.” BERNIE JONES
Get dressed up and master the seas, letting your imagination take you on a seafaring mission to rescue whilst real stories and objects of endurance and survival surround you.
Falmouth Art Gallery has a wonderful collection of children’s illustrations. The collection includes popular characters such as Pugwash, Ivor the Engine and Bagpuss – one of their favourites. When not on show the majority of the archive is kept in storage boxes designed to be easily accessible for visiting groups.
Peter Firmin (born 1928) Bagpuss Neptune - Artwork for Pippin Comic (right hand page), author: Postgate, Oliver, signed, watercolour and pencil and ink, 43 x 32.8 cms. Falmouth Art Gallery Collection. FAMAG: 2002.4.5
SPECIALIST
OBJECTS Porthcurno Telegraph Museum Kelvin Syphon Recorder 1870 This beautifully crafted instrument, described as a 145-year old inkjet printer, is on display in Porthcurno’s WW2 tunnels. It is one of only two surviving original syphon recorders used in the earliest transmission
Penlee House Gallery & Museum
of telegraph messages between Porthcurno and Bombay in 1870. The syphon recorder printed droplets of ink onto a special slip of paper, moving to the left or right according to the signal being sent. It received signals much faster than earlier instruments, and only required one operator to read the signals. It was also the first time that a permanent record could be kept of the messages sent via undersea telegraph cables.
Eyes and No Eyes Frank Bramley (1857 – 1915) Penlee House boasts the largest single collection of Newlyn School paintings – realist paintings in a style influenced by the European painters of the day, depicting the local fishing and farming communities, often using the ‘square brush technique’ to bring light and atmosphere to their paintings. Artists include Frank Bramley, Stanhope and Elizabeth Forbes, Walter Langley and Henry Scott Tuke.
Falmouth Art Gallery
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Royal Cornwall Museum
Along shore Fishermen By Charles Napier Hemy (1841 – 1917)
Mirror Dinghy No 1
The mineral collection at The Royal Cornwall Museum tells the story of the landscape of Cornwall and the role it has played in history.
The Fal area has always been strong in maritime art. One of the great maritime painters, Charles Napier Hemy was a Falmouth resident from 1880 to 1917. He was Falmouth’s first Royal Academician and the leading maritime artist of his generation. His paintings often featured the coastline around Falmouth and he also became known for his depictions of yacht racing.
Charles Napier Hemy RA RWS (1841-1917): Along shore fishermen, signed and dated 1890, oil on canvas, Purchased with funding from the Art Fund and MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund. Falmouth Art Gallery Collection. FAMAG:2008.22
The Maritime Museum has Mirror dinghy number 1, the very first Mirror Dinghy, so called because it was sponsored by the Daily Mirror newspaper in 1963. This cheap DIY boat made sailing available to a whole new range of family and leisure sailors. It remains one of the most popular dinghies of all time, with over 70,000 Mirror owners world-wide and celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2013. Simple to build and light enough to transport on a car roof, the Mirror dinghy helped make dinghy sailing more accessible to the British public.
This important collection is internationally acclaimed and there are over 1200 Cornish and World specimens on display.
“THE ROYAL CORNWALL MUSEUM IS AN ESSENTIAL PLACE TO COME TO IF YOU ARE FASCINATED BY CORNWALL.” KURT JACKSON, ARTIST
LOVE ARTS Falmouth Art Gallery Orchard Tambourine Sir Terry Frost (1915 – 2003) Frost was a leading Cornwall colourist, a 20th century great. He started painting while a prisoner of war in Germany 1943. 1946 he moved to St Ives, studying under Leonard Fuller. He was a member of the Penwith Society St Ives from 1950. He was elected into the Royal Academy in 1992 and knighted in 1998.
Penlee House Gallery & Museum Hens amongst Cornstooks Helene Schjerfbeck (1862 – 1946) West Cornwall has been a magnet for artists for the last 150 years.Two notable art colonies flourished from the 1880s onwards, one based around Newlyn and the other at St Ives.
At Penlee House you can see examples of work by artists associated with both early colonies, including this work by Helene Schjerfbeck, Finland’s most famous artist, who described Cornwall as the most beautiful place she’d ever seen.
Sir Terry Frost RA (1915-2003): Orchard Tambourine B, printer: Stoneman, Hugh (1947-2005), publisher: The Paragon Press, woodcut (B.A.T for an edition of 35) published 2002, The Art Fund Hugh Stoneman Archive. Falmouth Art Gallery Collection. FAMAG: 2008.26.29. © courtesy of the estate of Terry Frost.
Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Royal Cornwall Museum
Interactive Sculpture Garden
Captain William Rogers Samuel Drummond (1766 – 1844)
Art in depth
Set in beautifully landscaped gardens overlooking the museum’s historic tennis courts are six contemporary sculptures inspired by the story and the science of the telegraph. Some are interactive; inviting visitors to experience the meeting or art and science in their own way. Utilising an original disused telegraph cable on the ocean floor ‘Soundings’ by Renny Nisbet turns electromagnetic waves into an ethereal soundscape. The sculpture gardens are free to visit all year around.
William Rogers’ Packet ship, Windsor Castle, was attacked by the Jeune Richard while sailing to the Leeward Islands. Rogers led a strong defence and ended up capturing the Privateer, even though Packets were forbidden to take prizes. As a reward for his bravery he was made captain of the Packet ship the Countess of Chichester, presented with a sword of honour and made a Freeman of the City of London. Following William Rogers’ celebrated heroics an all-action portrait was commissioned from the artist Samuel Drummond.
With a changing programme of art exhibitions there’s always something special to see at The Royal Cornwall Museum. Displays in our Fine Art Gallery are changed each year to ensure different treasures from the collection can be seen by visitors. In 2014 the gallery will show ‘Amongst Heroes’, originally on display at Two Temple Place in London. This exhibition explores artistic representations of the Cornish figure at work between 1880 and 1920.
TIME FOR TEA
Falmouth Art Gallery
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
When you’ve had a look around the gallery, why not pop into the Courtyard Deli, a short walk away in the delightful setting of Bell’s Court, just off Market Street, in the heart of Falmouth.
Our Waterside Café boasts the best view in Falmouth complete with mouth-watering hot and cold food; from mussels to stargazey pie, sandwiches to scones (they are huge) to everything in between subject to season.
Sit indoors or out and enjoy delicious food from their breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea menu, served seven days a week. From home-made quiches and cakes, to tapas and cream teas, they cater for all tastes.
Indulge in the view and the flavours or simply log in using our free wifi over a coffee.
Penlee House Gallery & Museum
Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
Royal Cornwall Museum
Penlee’s delightful licenced café, The Orangery, includes a sun-bathed terrace overlooking the park.
Refresh yourself with a cup of tea or coffee, ice creams and confectionary from the museum’s beautiful gift shop.
Truro Arts café is situated next door to the museum and here you can enjoy coffee, cake and light meals.
It is open throughout Penlee’s opening hours (last orders 15 mins before closure) for morning coffee, afternoon tea with home-baked cakes, freshly prepared sandwiches, salads and light lunches.
There’s also plenty of outdoor seating for picnics and for letting off steam!
Venture further afield to discover Truro’s many cafes and restaurants, enjoy a traditional pasty, relax over a pub lunch or treat yourself to a three course feast – there’s something for everyone.
From summer 2014 the museum will offer light lunches and a mouthwatering array of cakes from its new cafe; opening alongside exciting new exhibitions.
ABOUT
THE MUSEUMS TRURO: Royal Cornwall Museum FALMOUTH: Falmouth Art Gallery FALMOUTH: National Maritime Museum Cornwall PENZANCE: Penlee House Gallery & Museum PORTHCURNO: Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
Padstow Bodmin Newquay
Truro
Penzance Helston Porthcurno
Falmouth
St Austell
Plymouth
Royal Cornwall Museum
A wonderful place to find out about Cornwall, it’s history and it’s cultural heritage. Discover Cornwall’s unique culture from the ancient past to the present day as well as artefacts from Greek, Roman and Egyptian civilisations including an unwrapped Egyptian mummy. Explore magnificent minerals, archaeology and natural history along with our impressive collection of Cornish art and British decorative art. With a busy schedule of activities, talks and lectures throughout the year along with exciting exhibitions there’s something for everybody to enjoy. Open Mon – Sat 10am to 4.45pm, (closed bank holidays). Adults £5 (for an annual pass), children free. River Street, Truro, TR1 2SJ 01872 272205 www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk
@RoyalCornwall
Penlee House Gallery & Museum Specialising in West Cornwall’s rich cultural heritage, Penlee is home to the world’s largest collection of Newlyn School paintings and museum artefacts covering 6000 years of the area’s history. The converted Victorian villa is set in an attractive park, complete with children’s play area. A changing programme of exhibitions always incorporates selected works from the collection, but please note there is no permanent display, so if there is something you specifically want to see, it’s worth checking what’s on display before setting out. Open Monday – Saturday 10.00 to 5.00 Easter to end Sept, 10.30 to 4.30 rest of year. £4.50 adults, £3 concs, u18 free. Free for everyone each Saturday. Morrab Road, Penzance, TR18 4HE 01736 363625 www.penleehouse.org.uk @PenleeHouse
Gold winner Small Visitor Attraction of the Year at Cornwall Tourism Awards 2012
Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
Porthcurno has a unique place in history; this is where the undersea telegraph cables that linked Britain with every corner of the world came ashore. Sometimes called ‘home of the Victorian internet’ this beautiful Cornish cove also played a vital role through wartime. The museum offers interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and family-friendly activities including things to make and take home. Don’t miss the free sculpture gardens and the famous cable hut on Porthcurno’s beautiful beach.
The museum will be closing for building work on 16th September 2013 and re-opening with new visitor facilities and exhibitions in summer 2014. Please see the website for details of events taking place during closure.
Open daily 10am-5pm Adults £7.20 Children £4.20 U5 free Concessions £6.50 Save 10% on entry with a valid dated bus ticket Eastern House, Penzance, TR19 6JX 01736 810966 www.porthcurno.org.uk @ThePTM
National Maritime Museum Cornwall Named “one of Britain’s coolest museums” by the Sunday Times the National Maritime Museum Cornwall celebrates the sea, boats and Cornwall with 15 stunning galleries and exhibitions large & small. The museum offers hands on activities in the school holidays plus a programme of talks, lectures and workshops. Shortlisted for Best UK Heritage Attraction at the British Travel Awards Open daily 10am-5pm, seven days a week. Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day. Adults £11.00, Children (0-5) free, concessions & group deals available. Pay once and get in FREE for a full 12 months. Discovery Quay, Falmouth, TR11 3QY 01326 313388 www.nmmc.co.uk @TheNMMC
Falmouth Art Gallery
Situated above the library this award winning gallery is loved by locals of all ages. The gallery has gained a national reputation for providing innovative family & community workshops winning (amongst others) The Guardian Kids in Museums Award. The gallery is home to an impressive collection of masterpieces by Henry Scott Tuke, Charles Napier Hemy and contemporary artists; a photography collection that includes work by Eve Arnold, Lee Miller and Ian Stern. It is also home to The Surrealists in Cornwall Collection and The Children’s Illustration Archive. Open Mondays to Saturdays 10am to 5pm. Free entry. Municipal Buildings, The Moor, Falmouth, TR11 2RT 01326 313863 www.falmouthartgallery.com
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@falmouthartgall
With thanks to Arts Council England for their support
A partnership project Visit Cornwall.