|
The
Morrab Library Photographic Archive contains several collections
recording life in West Cornwall since 1870. The largest of these is that
of the Richards Bros,
a Penzance family firm which traded for more than a century.
The
Richards family archive is extensive and covers most aspects of life from
work to sport and shopping to entertainment. This next photo shows an
industry that still flourishes today with little change although most of
the pickers now come from other EEC countries.
Ref.
RHG 15/6
Another
industry that played a major part in the lives of the people of West
Penwith was hard rock mining. As the British Empire expanded in the 19th
century new rich veins of metal ore were found. Many Cornish miners and
their families emigrated to start a new life abroad. With the growth of
the industry in lands across sea the Cornish mines found they could not
compete with the cheaper ore production elsewhere and mines began to
close. The last mine in Penwith closed in 1990 and has now become a
museum.
Ref.
RHG 16.5
A
Chown family outing to Lelant beach in 1905. Penzance-based Doctor Chown
was a keen photographer who recorded life in the area and donated his
collection to the Morrab Library.
Cat
Number: S.S.2./ Chown 11-141.
The
collection also records buildings that have since disapeared. This photo
of The
Three Tuns Hotel at the bottom of Causewayhead, Penzance, was taken
around 1870. The
two water shutes are seen at the side of the building. The HSBC Bank
now stands on the site.
Cat.
Number S.S.3/ STREET SCENES No.80
Shipwrecks
were also recorded but this photo of the The
Scilly Island mail-steamer "Lady of the Isles" which went ashore at
Lamorna, in 1904 is of a near thing. "Lady of the Isles" was refloated in the same year and her
owners sold her to the salvage company. Repaired and with new boilers,
she worked as a salvage boat for the next thirty years.
She was sunk by a
German mine in 1940 after a career lasting 65 years. She had been built
by Harvey’s of Hayle in 1875.
Cat.
No: S.S.5/ WRECKS No.1
This view shows apprentices
being trained as surveyors at the Levant Tin Mine about 1902. The Mine
was situated on the cliffs close to St Just-in-Penwith. Some workings
went out under the sea.
Cat.
Num: S.S.6/C.E. 37
The Ross Bridge, Penzance,
c. 1909 The bridge was made from a redundant turntable which had been
used to turn railway engines. Note the Traction engine which belonged
to Penzance Town Council.
Cat.
No: S.S.7/ HARBOURS 14/53
W.E.Trudgeon’s
sweets and tobacconist’s Shop which stood at the entrance to Gas
Court off Market Jew Street, Penzance The shop was demolished around
1958.
The archive contains many
photographs of local buildings and architecture as well as showing
people at work or enjoying their leisure time.
Cat.
No: S.S.8/ STREET SCENES No. 28/201
The year 2001 saw the 150th
anniversary of the railways in Cornwall so the extensive range of
railway photographs in the collection were in demand.
Cat.
No: S.S. 9/ ANGOVE TRANS. 8.038
A
Train leaving Penzance station being pulled by the Locomotive "Swansea".C.
1905.
There
are a number of mysteries in the archive and this
unknown group of young ladies has puzzled the photographic librarian
since it came into the collection. Can you help solve the mystery of
who they were?
Cat.No.
S.S.11
From Farming to Fishing, Mines to
Railways the work of the people of the area was recorded and became
part of the collection. And with over 10,000 photographs and negatives
of local Cornish
subjects on file, the collection at the Morrab is one of the finest in
Cornwall. It is frequently in demand by researchers both professional
and amateur. The archive is open for viewing on Thursdays from
10-00am until 12-30pm. Admission is free -- donations are always
welcome. Prints can be ordered and will be ready for collection in 28
days. Prices are as follows:
7
x 5 inches, cost £6 50p
8
x 6 inches, cost £7 50p
10
x 8 inches, cost £8 50p
Prints
can be purchased from stock and ordered by writing to Annabelle Read
at Morrab Library, Morrab Gardens, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 4DA.
Morrab Library. Copyright © 2001-8. All rights reserved.
|
