Penryn Museum

The town of Penryn was established during the early 13th century on a hill between two creeks at the navigable head of the Penryn River.

Substantial remains of earlier settlements reaching back to the Neolithic period have ben excavated in the area. No doubt early man also saw the unique potential of the site.

In 1265 the bishops of Exeter built Glasney College on marshy ground at the head of the southern creek. This developed into an elaborate complex, including church, cemetery, infirmary and school, within a fortified enclosure and became a centre of ecclesiastical learning renowned in Europe.

To the southeast, on the edge of a deer park was the Bishop's Palace. Both College and Palace went out of use after the Dissolution of the Monasteries during the 1540's.

Bridges were built at the head of both creeks, with a chantry associated with the southern bridge and corn and fulling mills situated nearby.

Just below where the river divides in two, a barrier of wooden stakes protected the town from seaward attack, gaps for navigation were closed with chains when danger loomed. The fortifications are shown on a map of the 1580 and may have been rebuilt at that time as a result of the Spanish invasion threat.

Involved in general trade and victualing during the Medieval period Penryn was one of the estuary's main ports with jurisdiction over the whole river.

During the 16th century, after the dissolution of Glasney, piracy and smuggling were rife in Penryn. In 1621 a Royal Charter was granted and a mayor and corporation was established to administer the law. Exchequer Quay was built at the confluence of the two creeks at the end of the 17th century. Trade and industry continued to increase, the quays were gradually expanded and Penryn became an international port.

During the 19th century the rapid expansion of nearby copper and tin mining resulted in increased trade and industry. Mining-related industries, such as engineering, iron founding and tin smelting were established and the increased demand for food for the rapidly growing population let to Penryn becoming and important center for the supply of grain, flour and meat.

Mills were constructed and cattle imported from Spain and France. This trade generated associated industries such as leather working and bone manure manufacture. Shipbuilding, fishing and paper milling were also important. The export of granite for bridges, lighthouses and important public works and associated cutting and polishing works occupied the south shore of Glasney Creek.

Our small museum tries to encompass interesting objects from this vast span of unique history and give an insight into the people of Penryn who created our past.