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.

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Found 2003 objects in the category Social History

Smoke generator

orange smoke generator for signalling to other vessels when in distress. Round metal canister with smaller screw lid. Label reads 'Generator Orange Smoke (3 minutes). To ignite - remove cap and insert burning life boat match or portfire. Match or portfire should be held at arms length.' 'SFP1968'.

PEZPH : 2000.77
Social History


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Smugglers grapnel

grapnel with rings to take lines and a fitting on one arm for the insertion of a pole. This was used to fish for strings of brandy casks, sunk in shallow water by smugglers. Widely used around Mounts Bay and Penwith.

PEZPH : 2000.4
Social History


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Snuff box

silver circular 19th century snuff box hinged circular lid

PEZPH : 1975.291
Social History


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Soap dish, souvenir ware china

soap dish, Penzance crest, turquoise background, yellow surround

PEZPH : 1998.117
Social History


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Solar eclipse viewers

cardboard glasses made especially to view the eclipse on August 11th 1999. Instructions and warning on reverse

PEZPH : 1999.136
Social History


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Souvenir and programme of the coronation of King George Vl and Queen Elizabeth

official souvenir and programme of the coronation of King George Vl and Queen Elizabeth. It has a gold cover and measures 245 x 185mm

PEZPH : 1991.1168
Social History


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Souvenir cup and saucer

Souvenir cup and saucer inscribed 'a present from Marazion' and decorated with basket of flowers set in white panel on apricot coloured lustre background

PEZPH : 1977.27
Social History


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Souvenir doll, Cornish pasty

Souvenir doll holding a Cornish pasty

PEZPH : 1991.415
Social History


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Souvenir doll, Cornish Pirate

Souvenir male doll dressed as a Cornish Pirate

PEZPH : 1991.418
Social History


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Souvenir doll, Cornish Pixie or Piskey

Souvenir male doll dressed as a Cornish Piskey

PEZPH : 1991.417
Social History


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Souvenir doll, Dolly Pentreath

Souvenir doll holding three fish

PEZPH : 1991.416
Social History


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Souvenir doll of shark fisherman

Souvenir male doll dressed as a fisherman

PEZPH : 1991.419.1
Social History


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Souvenir fisherman doll

Souvenir male doll dressed as a Newlyn fisherman

PEZPH : 1991.421
Social History


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Souvenir jug

Souvenir jug inscribed 'Present from Marazion' decorated with a gold wreath and pink roses

PEZPH : 1977.28
Social History


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Souvenir leaflets

Souvenir Programme from visit of Western Union Fleet to Mount's Bay, 1949 and programme from Penzance Orchestral Society spring concert

PEZPH : 1998.175
Social History


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Souvenir mug

Souvenir mug inscribed 'A present from Lands End' and decorated with 2 sprays of forget-me-not and pink roses on white background

PEZPH : 1977.29
Social History


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Souvenir programe for The Ritz Cinema, Penzance

opening souvenir programe for The Ritz Cinema, Penzance. Contains details of the cinema, prices of seats and future programme. Cream book printed in dark brown and green.

PEZPH : 1989.426
Social History


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Souvenir programme

official programme of the Victory Celebrations, 8th June 1946. Price twopence. Corners dog eared, rusty staples

PEZPH : 1999.141
Social History


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