Wednesday 15 April 2015

M is for Museums and Art Galleries …



Where do I start, or more importantly where do you start … there’s lots to offer in Cornwall apart from the stunning landscape of the South Coast Cornish Riviera, or the craggy cliffs, golden beaches, windswept moors, ancient lichen covered woodland, hidden valleys and secret coves …

Tate St Ives, taken from St Ives


So I have taken the easy route and will just briefly set out museums frequently mentioned on the web per Google – where else!  Just type in "Cornish Museums" and a gallery at the top of the Google page comes up.  But of course the post is likely to be longish …. but I’ve included links to their overview sites … and I've added a few more?!





Falmouth Harbour, Maritime Museum
and Pendennis Castle in background
National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouthwhich has collaborative links with Greenwich Museum, London.   It manages the National Small Boat Collection, and sets out Cornwall’s maritime history … Cornish fish, trading, boat building, wrecks and emigration.



NilaBose of Madly in Verse mentioned the pilchard film she had seen as very interesting when she visited the Maritime Museum in Falmouth.


Truro Museum

Royal Cornwall Museum, Truroit is the leading museum of Cornish Culture: its exhibits include minerals, an unwrapped mummy and objects relating to Cornwall’s unique culture.   


Specific collections are Fine Art from the Newlyn School of painting and others; Philip Rashleigh’s of Cornish minerals and there’s The Courtney Library and Archive … it has lots of Cornish papers et al .. and specialises in family history and local history.



Cables flowing out of Porthcurno


Porthcurno Telegraph Museum celebrates the 19th C connection to the rest of the world via submarine cables … across the Atlantic in 1866, to Australia in 1872 and across the Pacific in 1902.  The tunnels used in WW2 have been converted to include the working research station, and the museum …



An example of  a 19th Waterwheel
and set of Stamps at Geevor


Geevor Tin Mine, a few miles north of Botallack on the coast road to St Ives.  It is a living history of a working tin mine: it is an Anchor Point of The European Route of Industrial Heritage.  (It has recent photos and links re the 2015 BBC Poldark series).




Museum of Witchcraft

Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, Boscastlededicated to European witchcraft and magic:  it houses exhibits devoted to folk magic, ceremonial magic, Freemasonry and Wicca … it is interesting to find out why it is in Cornwall …





The Hold House, Port Mear Square by
Alfred Wallis - fisherman then naive
artist but worth looking at his site


Tate St Ives is an art gallery in St Ives – a regional Tate Gallery exhibiting works by modern British artists.


It is worth checking out Alfred Wallis at the link I give under the picture ... 

Hepworth ... I add a note at the end re Hepworth and Cornwall



Hepworth's tools on display










The Rain It Raineth - by Norman Garstin at the Penlee
(this is my favourite art work of Penzance Promenade -
where I walked so often with my mother)
Penlee Housea museum and art gallery located in Penzance home to many paintings by members of the Newlyn School, including Stanhope Forbes, Norman Garstin, Walter Langley and Lamorna Birch.  




The Newlyn Art Gallery is now dedicated to modern artists, most of the Newlyn School’s art is at the Penlee.




Wayside Folk Museum - milling and bread making
Wayside Folk Museum, Zennor (just west of St Ives) is a private museum covering every aspect of life in Zennor and the surrounding district from 3,000BC to the 1930s.  It looks a delight waiting to be visited … 






Cornish Mines and Engines Museum, run by the National Trust, Poole, in the Camborne-Redruth mining area.  Here’s a chance to delve deeper in to Cornish mining … it is at the heart of the Cornish Mining World Heritage site.



Poldark Museum

Poldark Tin Mine Museum, Wendron Valley, near Helston ... a working and family oriented showcase ... with some early tin stamps, gardens that belie its industrial heritage ... 




Charlestown Harbour


A perfectly preserved Georgian Harbour at Charlestown, near St Austell ... stood in for 18th century Truro in the Poldark series ...





c/o  Cornwall on line 


Church Cove, at Gunwalloe on the Lizard peninsula was used for Poldark's night-time scenes of smuggling and shipwrecks ... 







Launceston town square


Lawrence House Museum, Launceston – described by John Betjeman as having the most perfect collection of 18th C townhouses in Cornwall.  



It is a National Trust property and has many exhibits … toys, costumes, herbarium, a Silver Penny made locally in William the Conqueror’s time, a Victorian kitchen .. and many other collections.



Falmouth Art Gallery has one of the leading art collections in Cornwall featuring old masters, major Victorian artists, British and French Impressionists, leading surrealists and maritime artists, children’s book illustrators, automata, contemporary painters and printmakers. 



Liskeard Town Centre - a lovely little town
with hidden gems

Liskeard and District Museum reminds us of an ancient Cornish town, with history interweaving with local mining and agriculture.





It is also where Emily Hobhouse came from … and Jenny has written a new book about World War 1 … I somehow need to decide how to write some posts about Emily.  

Jenny's new book - I'm half way
through reading it


The Liskeard Museum reminds us of the work Emily did for the displaced women, children and captured Africans in the Boer War, and also when World War 1 started … Emily attempted to broker peace, and helped found the Save the Childrens Fund.  She has largely been forgotten about .. but Jenny (my mother’s cousin) has Emily’s papers and is making sure Emily has due recognition.



Alfred Wallis'  grave in
St Ives, decorated  in the
style of his paintings.



Many of the towns have local museums reflective of the traditions, the history, the Saints and Holy Wells pertinent to the area …




Thankfully today we can check up on the museums near our destinations … and volunteers and experts have done much to open our eyes should we wish to learn …



I feel I need to mention St Michael's Mount as a place to visit ... more tomorrow ... but it is an iconic island accessible by causeway ... 



I have therefore courtesy of Google let you know about a few .. but there are plenty of others … and most of the ones I’ve listed are set in the Penwith area (the west) of the county.



That is M for Museums, Memories, Memorials, Magnificent art works, Magnaminous Munificence ... from Aspects of British Cornish ... 

Note from The Quarterly about Barbara Hepworth and her move (in 1939) and subsequent stay in St Ives ... "She was astounded by the light and qualities of the landscape, and found it impossible to leave.

She allowed her work to be influenced by her milieu, creating undulating, cavernous forms that echoed the cave formations along the Cornish coast.

The countryside too permeated her way of thinking too, and she became inspired not only by the landscape and life of the Cornwall of her day, but also by its ancient landforms and prehistoric monuments, such as the Men-an-Tol standing stone monument" (between St Ives and Penzance).


Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories


51 comments:

Maria said...

If I will list up which one I wanna see first, Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, Boscastle will be on top :D

Sara C. Snider said...

So many museums, and it's not even all of them. The Wayside Folk Museum sounds particularly interesting, as does the Museum of Witchcraft. Though, that picture looks mildly terrifying.

Nilanjana Bose said...

Thanks so much for the link! Beyond pleased to see my name way up there in your post :) thank you. Museum of Witchcraft has to be a must visit, want to go back for that one. And also to visit the Literary Centre at Fowey. Who said that about one life not being enough, Freya Stark? was she referring to Cornwall now, I wonder? :)

D.G. Hudson said...

I like the Rain, it Raineth; it reminds me of the Rainforest where I live, and I am fond of seacoast paintings and photos.

I would love to visit some of the places you have featured, Hilary. I love museums and art galleries, and history in general.

Tasha Duncan-Drake said...

I've been to the museum in Boscastle - wow is that one creepy building :). I like the sound of the one with the unwrapped mummy too.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

Rhonda Albom said...

That is quite a list. You started with my favorite type of museum - the maritime museum, but on your list I am sure we would go to the witchcraft and also the one with an unwrapped mummy. Is the Tate related to the Tate Modern we went to in London?

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

That's a huge number of museums for the area! That's really a testament to the culture and history there.

Stephen Tremp said...

I live on Southern California and its amazing the lack f quality museums in the southland.

Only recently was the Getty Center opened. Other than that its slim pickings.

Susan Scott said...

Thanks Hilary so much! The history of magic and witchcraft is interesting also. Cornwall is where the feast of Beltane was enacted wasn't it" King Arthur and the Round Table ..
Om Goodness ... sooo much. Maybe you could be a travel consultant? I would 'hire' you any day.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I am a museum nerd. Love to visit them. And aren't our memories--museums? Too deep for this a.m.

Deborah Weber said...

What an extraordinary list of museums - I want to visit them all.

Bob Scotney said...

I'm ashamed to say that I had only heard of Tate St Ives. I must rectify this.
However if you ate in the Scillies make sure you visit Valhalla, now run by the National Maritime Museum. The collection of figureheads recovered from wrecks is outstanding.

Jo said...

What a fascinating list of museums. I wouldn't have expected such a variety. I too wonder about the witchcraft one. I was also wondering about the Wayside Folk museum. If it has artifacts fro 3,000 BC maybe it knows more about the Phoenicians? OK I know I've got a bee in my bonnet about that now.

Chrys Fey said...

Museums are awesome! I've always been fascinated with witches, so the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic would be the first on my list to visit. :)

David P. King said...

Great stuff here, Hilary. It's fun to make a random visit in a museum. :)

loverofwords said...

Any museum is worth a visit and sometimes they can be little gems and give you more appreciation of the area. And you always learn something. A great "M" post.

Annalisa Crawford said...

We have such a lot of history to celebrate - it's good to see we can do it so well!

Annalisa, writing A-Z vignettes, at Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep

Margie said...

I love to visit museums and art galleries and heading to the Denver Art Museum this weekend, it's quite wonderful and one can spend a whole day there.
Wonderful post today, thanks Hilary

Out on the prairie said...

I enjoy art and natural history the best.

Lisa said...

My father in law would love to visit the harbour and the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Flamouth. He loves to draw ships. I'd like to visit the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle for sure! Now I have to see if I can find out why it's in Cornwall! Would also like to see the Penlee House and the Wayside Folk Museum and the Georgian Harbour at Charlestown... guess I better stop there, after I say I'd love to read about Jenny, so will look for "Agent of Peace." I could go on forever! Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Wow, I would have a great time exploring all of those museums.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Maria – ok .. the Witchcraft Museum looks to be a favourite …

@ Sara – no .. I missed a few I know of – and of course all the many I don’t know about! But I will definitely go across to Zennor when I’m next there to see the Wayside Folk Museum .. and the Witchcraft one .. I’d like to see Boscastle, not so sure about the Museum …

@ Nila – it’s a pleasure … linking across to you and I’m so glad you mentioned the pilchard film .. I’d like to see it sometime … and I see you’ve added another to the list .. which I’ll put in into another post … for du Maurier .. and I’ll check up on Freya Stark ..

@ DG – that Promenade picture is so true to life .. and like you when we live on or near the sea – it draws us in. I’d like to give up the A-Z and toddle off to Cornwall now .. but I can’t!! It’d be good to take my own tour …

@ Tasha .. I remember you said you’d been to the Witchcraft Museum .. and then the Unwrapped Mummy in Truro … I need to go there too …

@ Rhona – and that’s not all … I imagined you’d go to Falmouth to the Maritime museum .. and with your girls to the Witchcraft one … and to Truro.

Re the Tate – they’re all related .. Tate Britain (1897) .. to Tate Modern (2000) both in London .. Tate Liverpool (1988) and Tate St Ives (2003).

@ Elizabeth – most of the towns now have museums and art galleries or both joined together … our culture is being preserved.

@ Stephen – we do have a lot of history, and a great deal of it is local over centuries, if not millennia … the Getty Centre does sound incredible – as you’d expect.

@ Susan – you had me looking! Beltane is mostly Irish – Gaelic and Celtic … Scotland, Isle of Man … so not apparently Cornish. The King Arthur attraction was under the Custard King post … while Tintagel Castle I did in 2012, when I wrote about castles – the link is under C for Custard King (2015) …

It’d be fun .. travelling around with everyone … I’d enjoy it … but it’s so difficult to make sure you visit the places you want to visit …

@ Teresa – museums are amazing and incredible places aren’t they .. so much to see and think about – sorry about your early morning visit!!

@ Deborah – yes .. and these are some of them .. there are the gardens too …

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Bob – well I spend my life living and learning now – these posts teach me loads. I got your book this morning on the Scillies – looks brilliant .. and I will definitely visit Valhalla – I hadn’t realised it’s run by the National Maritime Museum .. but makes sense considering the rescued ship’s figureheads and recovered from the wrecks …

@ Jo – I can see the Phoenicians have got you caught in their web … so many museums and more in the villages/small towns around …

We are lucky – we are starting to want to keep and preserve our collections … which is good ..

@ Chrys – as you say Museums offer much .. and witches – me not so much!

@ David – thanks so much .. there is lots here .. or there – depending whether it’s the page or the county you’re referring to?!

@ Nat – exactly .. it’s the little gems that can entice and tell you so much more – of the area, and of the artefacts themselves …

@ Annalisa – you’d know more museums .. but as you say Cornwall does do it well and there’s lots of history to celebrate ..

@ Margie – how lovely to be able to get out and see the Denver Art Museum .. enjoy the visit and time spent there …

@ OOTP – yes I know you love your great outdoors … while the art does show us something of the earlier days …

@ Lisa – oh how wonderful .. I’m sorry that he probably can’t get over .. but the website might be worth looking at.

The why the Museum of Witchcraft is in Cornwall is explained in its link .. there are lots of museums – but I’m delighted you’d be interested in reading more about Emily Hobhouse and Jenny’s book …

@ Alex – that’s wonderful to know .. another reason to get across to the UK … and Cornwall in particular …

Cheers everyone and thanks for the visits .. Hilary

Sharon Himsl said...

You have so many interesting choices, Hilary :) Hmm...let's see. I would have to start with Porthcurno Telegraph Museum. As an ex-telephone company employee, those submarine cables would be fascinating. Next I'd hit the local museums and probably the one on witchcraft if not too creepy. Thanks!
Inventions by Women A-Z
Shells–Tales–Sails

janice h said...

Jeez, Hilary - I take a spring break and you're on M already! I'm logging off to cook now, but look forward to an alphabetical stroll at the weekend. You're a very bad lady as I'm now craving a long, long holiday in Cornwall and will have walk around with a print out of your A-Z if I manage to go! Falmouth's somewhere I always fancied living. There seems to be so much going on there.

You must be very proud of your family connection to Emily Hobhouse. Thanks for introducing me to her; what a wonderful organisation she helped found.

beste barki said...

Reading your posts makes me want to visit each and every one of the places you are writing about. I wish I had the time and the means to do just that; go on extended trips.

Jeffrey Scott said...

I love museums.
Royal Cornwall Museum, Porthcurno Telegraph Museum and the Cornish Mines and Engines sound particularly interesting. Sign me up!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

What a plethora of interesting places. How would decide which to see. So many are dedicated to mining and the history of it. Wish I could visit.

cleemckenzie said...

There is such a collection of museums centered on specific areas. I'd never heard of the one dedicated to witchcraft and magic. It is on my list of "must visit" places. The Wayside Folk Museum also captures my interest. There's no better way to understand a people than to see the equipment they used and the products they created.

Wow to this compilation, Hilary. I think you might have outdone yourself here.

Deborah Barker said...

Another great post Hilary, thank you :-) We just had a wonderful few days in our house in Cornwall and yes, there is a small Museum in Fowey - and I mean small! The building it is housed in dates back to 15th Century apparently. I am trying to keep up with your A-Z this year. Debbie- :-)

Sara said...

Oh, I am so far behind, but I wanted you to know that on our next trip across the pond, you have convinced me we have to visit Cornwall!

I was really touched about this comment re: Emily Hobhouse: "She has largely been forgotten about .. but Jenny (my mother’s cousin) has Emily’s papers and is making sure Emily has due recognition." That's cool, Hilary

Unknown said...

Emily sounds like an amazing person. I'm happy someone is working to keep her memory alive :)

I never thought to google the museums where I live, but now I will. What a great way to learn about the history of your home town!

You can find me here:
ClarabelleRant

Nick Wilford said...

The Museum of Witchcraft sounds like a good one, but they all sound good. Spoilt for choice!

DMS said...

M certainly is for Museums! Wow! What a list and so many unique ones too. I have lots I would like to visit but- I would like to start with the witchcraft one- as I have never been to a museum that focuses on that subject. Thanks for sharing! :)
~Jess

Joanne said...

Plenty to see and do if it rains, that's for sure. I want to visit the witchcraft museum. Sounds unique.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

A person could spend a LOT of time in Cornwall :)

LD Masterson said...

Oh, the museums. I could spend weeks and weeks just wandering through those museums.

Kern Windwraith said...

Holy moly, that's one massive mess of museums! And every single one of them sounds fascinating--how would a person ever choose??? The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic would be at the top of my list, but I don't think there's a museum on the list I wouldn't want to visit. The more I read your posts, the more I want to visit Cornwall!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Sharon – yes there is lots to do in Cornwall – I’m glad you’d visit the Telegraph Museum .. it’s lovely down there. Witchcraft for you too .. I gather it is creepy!

@ Janice – life does rather tick on when doing the A-Z .. but it’s good to see you and I hope your time with the family over Easter has been fun and happy. Falmouth … is a delightful town and harbour … and lots to do there ..

It’s been lovely being able to support Jenny when she comes over from Vancouver Island to do her research at Kew and Cornwall and see our relatives together …

@ Beste – I feel we might all feel the same way – the time and the means to visit places that call to us ..

@ Jeffrey – delighted you were able to pick three that interested you – different to the other readers … and yes, I’ll happily sign you up!

@ Susan – plethora is a good word and deciding would probably be the ones you were near to … history, mining and tv culture series prevail …

@ Lee – writing up the post somewhat surprised me at what’s on offer .. yet I knew about the museums .. it’s just when you collate the information (or some of it as in this case) it brings home the opportunities; delighted you’ve picked your two .. the witchcraft and then the Wayside Folk museum … and yes understanding how settlers worked and used their tools does allow us an insight into the days of yore … and thank you re the Wow!

@ Debbie – I remembered you were down in Fowey and as Nila reminded me about the Literary Centre for Daphne du Maurier in Fowey .. I shall refer to it anon. Interesting to know about its age … 15th century …

So pleased you had a lovely few days … it’s gorgeous there ..

@ Sara – life does move on in April for us A-Zers … how interesting that you’ll be going down to Cornwall – well that will be great to hear about it anon. I’m so pleased.

Jenny has been quite determined to do Emily justice, as she feels she’s been misrepresented … it’s been inspirational being with Jenny, when she gets to visit from Vancouver Island.

@ Clarabelle – thank you too re Emily … Jenny has perseverance in her blood.

I have to admit I didn’t intend to google for Cornwall’s museums quite like that .. I thought I’d get a list and then could select a few … I guess in a way I did, but had some extra information to go on ..

@ Nick – the Museum of Witchcraft is calling everyone! (well nearly …)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Jess – yes there do seem to be specific ones for the area – but I guess that’s logical … Witchcraft for you too … so interesting finding everyone fascinated by that museum.

@ Joanne – yes, that’s the salient point isn’t it ... plenty to do if it rains. Witchcraft for you too ..

@ Lynda – yes, I believe you could spend a lot of time in Cornwall ..you’re right …

@ LD – yes .. another one who needs lots of time in Cornwall visiting things …

@ Kern – lots on offer isn’t there … I don’t know how anyone of us chooses … but it’s a fascinating part of the world. Another witchcraft visitor … and that’s wonderful – I hope you can get over sometime and see Cornwall ..

Cheers everyone – thanks so much for the visits – Museums seem to be a successful “M” choice .. Hilary

Sophie Duncan said...

Whenever I'm in an area, I like to visit local museums and galleries and this is a fantastic list, most of which I haven't visited, so next time I'm in Cornwall...

And Boscastle Museum of Witchcraft - one hell of an interesting, but somewhat creepy place, but then I find Egyptology fascinating and I get creeped out by the mummies at the British Museum too, so just call me contrary! :)

Danielle L Zecher said...

It would be hard to pick which one to go to first! I think I'd go with the folk museum.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

What fun it would be to have the time to visit so many museums! The witches sounds fascinating!

Michelle Wallace said...

Lots of museums to choose from... a real treat for visitors/art lovers!

Unknown said...

The withcraft museum at Boscastle is the only one of these I've visited. It's weird, but interesting. One day I'll get round to visiting some of the others.

Deniz Bevan said...

Really enjoying your posts, Hilary. Ashamed to say I didn't know about Emily Hobhouse. Must add that book to my wishlist!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Sophie - that's great you'll refer back to this post and definitely visit local museums and galleries ..

The Witchcraft Museum does sound 'fascinating' .. not sure I fancy it! But no doubt sometime I'll get to check it out ..

Interesting about your Egyptology fascination - have you been to the Petrie Museum at UCL London .. ? I've posted about it ..

@ Danielle - folk museum for you .. it is an interesting decision isn't it ..

@ Monti - I hope one day you can get over to visit and see some of these .. witches et al!

@ Michelle - yes that's true in Cornwall .. and is a real treat ..

@ Mark - have you visited the witchcraft museum .. interesting what you say about it .. weird, but interesting .. I hope you can get across to visit Cornwall again sometime ..

@ Deniz - thanks so much .. no worries about Emily Hobhouse - at least she's in your 'ken' now .. and perhaps you'll have a chance to learn more ..

Cheers and thanks so much for visiting and for your interesting comments - Hilary

Empty Nest Insider said...

What a wonderful variety of museums to choose from! If I only had time to visit one, I'd probably choose the Witchcraft Museum, as it seems truly unique. Thanks Hilary!

Julie

Kathryn Thornton said...

I am always amazed at all the information you know. If you are not a professional tour guide you should be one and your town council should hire you to promote their tourism.

J Lenni Dorner said...

Amazing how many different types of museums there are, isn't it?

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Julie - the Witchcraft Museum has taken people's fancy for a visit - and is most certainly unique. I haven't been but suspect I should go! There are lots of others I need to visit too ..

@ KAT - Cornwall is an interesting area and one, I might not have lived in, but am aware about a lot of things ... hence my happiness in writing about them.

Thank you - I don't even live in the County ... but am chuffed with your comment...

@ J - yes plenty of museums and art galleries, and I didn't touch sides and forgot some!

Cheers to you three - sorry it's taken me so long to come back .. Hilary