Visit Penlee House & Museum

Penlee House is a gallery, museum, cafe and shop. Situated within Penlee Park, a space to reflect and great for family visits.

Click on the links on the right to find out more.

A space for exhibitions & events

Alongside our Exhibition programme we run a variety of community events and workshops. The Newlyn School and Social history galleries change often. Find out what’s on.

Click on the links on the right to find out more.

A space to learn

Penlee House is committed to lifelong learning. We run workshops for all age groups and offer a school workshop programme.

Click on the links on the right to find out more.

A space for all

Built in 1865, as the home of the Branwell family. Penlee House is home to many paintings by members of the Newlyn School. It is also home to the Penzance Natural History and Antiquarian Society collection.

Click on the links on the right to find out more.

You can search and browse our collections online. We also have a section dedicated to the Newlyn School.

Browse Our Collections

Explore thousands of objects from the Penlee House collections.

« Back to all Collections

Search the Collections

Found 2003 objects in the category Social History

Butter dish and cover

Rectangular shape lustreware dish with shell-like embossed pattern and a handle on the lid.

PEZPH : 1998.266.1-2
Social History


Discover More

Button from uniform

Metal uniform button with John the Baptist's head on a charger with "Penzance Borough Police" around the outside.

PEZPH : 1998.308
Social History


Discover More

Buttonhook

brass hook with handle in the shape of a female leg made of a black material

PEZPH : 1996.106
Social History


Discover More

Buttons, mayoral

six buttons from mayoral robe, Penzance crest, Borough of Penzance written on front, R Pearce, Mayor, 1838 on reverse

PEZPH : 1998.172
Social History


Discover More

Bye laws

Bye Laws for the prevention of danger obstruction or annoyance of persons using The Promenade or Esplanade

PEZPH : 1994.185
Social History


Discover More

Bye laws, "Fish Frying in the Borough of Penzance"

Bye laws, "Fish Frying in the Borough of Penzance", 1950, with Borough coat of arms, printed in black, green cover

PEZPH : 1991.809
Social History


Discover More

Bye laws, "The prevention of nuisances"

Bye laws, "The prevention of nuisances" 1955, Borough coat of arms, printed in black

PEZPH : 1991.900
Social History


Discover More

Byelaws, "The prevention of obstruction or annoyance of persons using the promenade in Penzance "

Bye-laws, "The prevention of obstruction or annoyance of persons using the promenade in Penzance" 1959, Borough of Penzance coat of arms, cream cover, printed in black

PEZPH : 1991.901
Social History


Discover More

Byelaws, for the regulation of common lodging houses

byelaws, for the regulation of common lodging houses in the Borough of Penzance. Reference is made to the Common Lodging Houses Act of 1851. Written by the Local Board of Health for the District of the Borough of Penznce, that indicate that all rules and regulations shall be withheld by by each owner of a Common Lodging House. Sealed and delivered by the Mayor of Penzance, Richard Pearce. Paper, bound with thin string in a small booklet of five pages.

PEZPH : 1990.852
Social History


Discover More

Caddy with lid

Copper caddy decorated with three fish, lid decorated with one fish

PEZPH : 1978.44
Social History


Discover More

Cadet nominal roll

Penzance cadet nominal roll, 1939-45

PEZPH : 2000.65
Social History


Discover More

Cameo portrait of Nelson

cameo portrait of Nelson, white bust on blue ground letters NELSON white on blue. Oval black edged frame.

PEZPH : 1975.268
Social History


Discover More

Candle holder

Columnar shape on wider base.

PEZPH : 1998.231
Social History


Discover More

Candle holder

decorated with three fish

PEZPH : 1989.1134
Social History


Discover More

Candle holder

Newlyn copper square candlestick with finger loop, decorated with fish and seaweed

PEZPH : 1984.72
Social History


Discover More

Candleholder and snuffer

Candleholder on a large base with handle and snuffer. Gold transfers of flowers set around the Penzance crest

PEZPH : 1998.299.1-2
Social History


Discover More

Candle lantern

metal black enamelled lantern with glass

PEZPH : 1991.1033
Social History


Discover More

Candlestick

Columnar candlestick with drip bowl

PEZPH : 1998.294
Social History


Discover More