[3] The first president was Sir Rose Price Bart of Trengwainton and by 1820 the library had over one hundred members.

During 1867 the Library moved to the new Public Buildings (now known as St John's Hall) in Alverton Street.

[3] The house is described as "...a large stucco villa in the Georgian manner with columned porch" and is a grade II listed building.

[7] Shortly after the Pidwell family moved to Portugal, it became the home of Charles Campbell Ross, Member of Parliament for the St Ives constituency from 1881–1885.

[8] On 16 July 1888 the house and walled gardens were bought by the Corporation of Penzance for £3,120 for use as a municipal park.