Constantine Museum and Archive

About the museum

Constantine Museum and Archive tells the story of the large Cornish parish of Constantine near the Helford River. The parish once also included parts of Gweek and Mawnan Smith, until boundary changes in 1986. Granite quarrying was the main local industry, reaching its peak from the mid-1800s to the 1920s, and in 1901 most of the men living in Fore Street worked in the quarries. Granite was shipped from quays on the Helford, the most successful being Port Navas. Copper and tin mining and oyster fishing were also important.

The museum began in the 1990s in the vestry of the village Methodist chapel, set up by members of the Constantine History Group. After the chapel was sold, the collection moved to a community organisation, and since the community bought the chapel building in 1998 it has been housed in a purpose-built extension beside the Tolmen Centre. The name has changed over the years: from 2005 it was the Constantine Heritage Collection, then Constantine Museum, and more recently Constantine Museum and Archive.

The museum is an accredited museum run by volunteers. Its displays cover the parish's economic and social history, and it also holds a growing archive, a large collection of photographs, a library of books about Constantine and a database on local buildings. Volunteers help visitors with family and local history research, welcome group visits and give talks to schools and groups.

Highlights

• Displays on granite quarrying and the Helford quays
• Mining history of the parish
• Oyster fishing on the Helford River
• Photograph collection and local archive
• Help with family and house history research

Permanent exhibitions

• Granite – How granite quarrying and the shipping of stone from the Helford quays shaped the parish.
• Mining – The copper, tin and iron mines of the parish, from medieval workings to the Victorian mines.
• Oysters – The history of oyster fishing on the Helford River, from medieval fishing rights to the oyster farm at Port Navas.

Founded

2005

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free; donations are welcome. A small donation is suggested for help with family history research.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is accessible by wheelchair. Parking for disabled visitors can be arranged in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers activities for children and welcomes visitors of all ages.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in a purpose-built extension beside the Tolmen Centre in Fore Street.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit