Wheal Martyn Clay Works, near St Austell, is celebrating a half century of heritage this year as a museum. Through these five decades, the museum has preserved history and industrial archaeology, and helped to keep the story of china clay mining in Cornwall alive.
To help share the journey of this museum, from its conception to present day, a new exhibition, ‘50 Years of Wheal Martyn’, will be going on display in the Roger Preston Gallery at Wheal Martyn from Friday 5 September.
Learn of the highlights and the struggles involved with maintaining a museum and historic site and how the various teams over the years have adapted to changing times.
Chronicled through historic images, records and memories, this exhibition will take you through how the museum was set up ahead of its opening in 1975, why Wheal Martyn was the chosen site and who the key people involved were.
From initial sponsorship and financial support from English China Clays to learning how to fundraise and survive in a changing tourist landscape and during Covid-19, discover how Wheal Martyn has evolved over time into the museum it is today.
Wheal Martyn’s Managing Director, Colin Vallance, said: “We are excited to be sharing the story of Wheal Martyn as a museum and are proud to be marking our 50th anniversary with this insight into the museum’s journey.
“A lot has changed in 50 years. However, preserving the historic buildings, much of which are now designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument, museum collection, and archive relating to the china clay industry, remains the foundation of our work as a charity, whilst at the heart of our vision is sharing this global story with our community and visitors, helping to inspire future generations.
“Today a fully accredited museum, Wheal Martyn offers a wide range of activities including changing exhibitions, monthly memory cafe, arts for health group, home education sessions, family activities, creative workshops, speak Cornish mornings, monthly music evenings and volunteering opportunities, and it is open all year round. None of this would be possible without the significant support of volunteers, many of whom are members of the China Clay History Society.
“We invite you to come and celebrate Wheal Martyn’s journey through the last 50 years, whilst also unearthing the bigger picture of maintaining and keeping this historic site and museum open for all to enjoy.”
The ‘50 Years of Wheal Martyn’ exhibition offers the good hallmarks of a great story – an interesting past, a mixture of goodwill, passion and hard work, many highs and lows and a few unexpected challenges along the way. A story that’s definitely worth discovering with a visit this autumn.
The exhibition will be on display from Friday 5 September until Tuesday 23 December. Entry is included in the general admission fee.
