[4] During the 1990s, Penzance Town Council conducted a major refurbishment of the building providing up to date facilities for housing its important and historic art collection.

In 1860, J. R. Branwell began a series of land purchases on the Western outskirts of Penzance with the intention of providing a site for his new home and a large park to surround it.

The parkland surrounding Penlee House was laid out with formal and informal gardens and a lodge was built at the Trewithen Road end of the park.

In 1867, the growing Museum moved to the newly constructed St John’s Hall, the town’s main public building.

The society was reformed in the mid 1880s, but as no rent had been paid for the museum premises for many years, specimens were sold to raise money and to clear the debt.

The society sold the collections to Penzance Borough Council in 1937 for a nominal sum, with an agreement that they would be displayed for the public good.

At the end of World War II, the owners of the Penlee Estate were planning to build on the land and to demolish the house.

Overseen by Robert Allen, architect, the building was completely redeveloped, adding gallery spaces, lift access and the cafe and shop, as well as refurbishing the museum.

The recently refurbished social history gallery houses a wealth of artefacts covering the area’s fascinating and often quirky heritage.

The Social History and Archaeology galleries show how people have lived and worked in West Cornwall for thousands of years.

The large granite cross outside the museum dates from the 11th century[1] and has been moved on at least three occasions, its original location being the Green Market in Penzance.

Newlyn offered scenes and lives scarcely touched by the industrial revolution, with plentiful, cheap accommodation and willing models.