The Museum of Cornish Life has a vast social history collection. Dating from the 18th to the 20th century, the range of objects covers agriculture, local trades and industries, law and order, town history, home life, toys, sporting equipment, gardening, transport and health and leisure activities.
Short Films with a Helston Focus:
Flora Day – For hundreds of years people have celebrated the end of winter and the arrival of spring. The houses and shops of the town are decorated with greenery and floral arrangements to mark the day. This quick tour is in memory of cancelled Flora Day 2020
Henry Trengrouse – A Cabinet Maker, born in Helston in 1772, who witness the appalling loss of over 100 lives when `HMS ANSON` was wrecked on the Loe Bar in 1807. This tragedy inspired him to devised a life saving method of firing a rocket and line from a vessel to the shore. To find out what is in our collection view this quick collection tour.
Bob Fitzsimmons – Was the first fighter to hold the world boxing championship in three weight divisions. Born in Helston in 1863 he moved with his family to New Zealand. His professional fighting career only began when he moved to Australia aged 20, in around 1883. In 1890 he then sailed to the United States winning his first the world title in 1891.
Short Films with a Focus on Social History:
- Bicycles
- Bob Fitzsimmons & Boxing
- Cricket
- Football
- Gardening Collection
- Magic Lanterns
- Musical Instruments
- Poster Collection
- Radio and TV Collection
- Religion
- Shallowpool Dolls
- Sporting Trophies & Medals
- Toy Shops
- Village Shop
- WW2 Collection
- WW2 Occupational Therapy Needlework Set
- 1950’s Kitchen
- Vacuum Cleaners
- Winter Sports
Related objects
Resourceful ‘Henry the Parrot’
Although now very much defunct, this bird – actually a galah cockatoo – was most enterprising when alive. He is … Continue reading Resourceful ‘Henry the Parrot’
‘Absconded’ Poster
This notice from 1816 offering a reward for the return of a young woman apprentice to her ‘Master’ at Sithney … Continue reading ‘Absconded’ Poster
Cockle’s Antibilious Pills
Whether these pills would help a party hangover is debatable, but in the early 1800s James Cockle ran a highly … Continue reading Cockle’s Antibilious Pills
7 Meneage Street Window
This window, dating back perhaps to the English Civil War, is now part of the Museum’s Victorian kitchen display. It … Continue reading 7 Meneage Street Window
Pre-decimal cash register.
This manual cash register, ancestor of today’s computerised tills, can be dated accurately to the 1960s, before Britain changed to … Continue reading Pre-decimal cash register.
Granny Boswell
Ann Boswell, (known as Granny Boswell) was a noted fortune teller and wise woman. Born in Ireland in 1813 to … Continue reading Granny Boswell
Flindell’s Bible
Thomas Flindell (1767 – 1824) was a Cornish editor, printer and publisher known for launching and editing multiple newspapers over … Continue reading Flindell’s Bible
Helston Toc H Banner
A significant part of the preparation for the Talking Threads exhibition was looking at the museum’s collection of banners, working … Continue reading Helston Toc H Banner