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

Theatre bill

theatre bill advertising a performance of 'A Cure for the Heartache', 'Hamlet (Closet Scene)' and a personation farce at the Penzance Theatre, 24th April 1845.

PEZPH : 1976.336.2
Social History


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Theatre bill

theatre bill advertising a performance of 'The Merchant of Venice' and 'Illustrious Stranger' at the Penzance Theatre, 8th April 1845.

PEZPH : 1976.336.3
Social History


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Theatre bill

theatre bill advertising a performance of Richard III and Rendevous at the Penzance Theatre, 30th April 1821.

PEZPH : 1976.337.1
Social History


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Theatre bill

theatre bill advertising a performance of Romeo and Juliet and Magician's Cave at the Penzance Theatre, 11th June 1821.

PEZPH : 1976.337.2
Social History


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Theatre bill

theatre bill advertising a performance of Macbeth and Charles II at the Penzance Theatre, 25th October 1826.

PEZPH : 1976.337.3
Social History


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Theatre bill

Theatre bill for Master B Grossmith in My Cousin Tom, one night only at the assembly rooms Union Hotel Penzance, 29 October 1839.

PEZPH : 1976.338
Social History


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Theatre bill

theatre bill advertising a performance of 'William Thompson, or Which is He ?', 'Love in a Humble Life' and 'Deaf as a Post' at the Penzance Theatre, 10th January 1831. For the benfit of Mr J Dawson.

PEZPH : 1976.339
Social History


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Theatre bill

theatre bill advertising a performance of 'The Rivals' (featuring Mr.Doel) at the Penzance Theatre, 18th April 1845.

PEZPH : 1976.336.1
Social History


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Theatre programme

programme for 'A Pair of Silk Stockings' by Cyril Harcourt. Black print on apricot sheet with patterned border

PEZPH : 1978.25
Social History


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Theatre programme, Pavilion Theatre

PEZPH : 1991.475
Social History


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The Birds of Scilly By James Clark MA Dsc and Francis R Rodd JP

The Birds of Scilly By James Clark MA DSc and Francis R Rodd JP

PEZPH : 1989.283
Social History


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The Borough of Penzance Constitution of Education Committee

Borough of Penzance Constitution of Education Committee, 1904

PEZPH : 1991.1072
Social History


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The Christmas markets 23 and 24 December 1947

poster for the Christmas markets 23 and 24 December 1947

PEZPH : 1989.946
Social History


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The Cornishman, 1.10.1992

The Cornishman, 1.10.1992

PEZPH : 1992.1633
Social History


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The Cornishman, 8.10.1992

The Cornishman, 8.10.1992

PEZPH : 1992.1633.1
Social History


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The Cornishman 20.7.1944

The Cornishman 20.7.1944

PEZPH : 1992.618
Social History


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The Cornishman 21.9.1944

The Cornishman 21.9.1944

PEZPH : 1992.616
Social History


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