Images Dated 2019 September

Five young boys, Polperro, Cornwall. 1860-1870s

Five young boys sitting on steps with their musical instruments, namely an accordion, triangle, tambourine, and a zither which is held by two boys. There is also a child peering through the gate on the right hand side. The photograph was probably taken on steps off The Warren. Photographic print from the manuscript The History of Polperro by Thomas Q. Couch (1878), which expanded on Jonathan Couch's work of the same name, published in 1871. Photographer: Lewis Harding

© From the collection of the RIC

Christmas lights, Royal Cornwall Museum, River Street, Truro, Cornwall. 22nd November 2018

A view of Royal Cornwall Museum decorated in Christmas lights. The lights were switched on the day before at the same time as the City of Lights, Truro's midwinter lantern festival, moved through the streets. The museum, art gallery and library was officially opened by the Prince of Wales on 11th June 1919. Prior to this date, the collections of the Royal Institution of Cornwall had been housed in part of the former home of the Vivian family in Union Place, Truro. The main part of the museum building seen today was formerly Truro Savings Bank, built in 1847. The Savings Bank closed in 1894 and became Henderson's School of Mining in 1897. The School of Mining closed in 1907 and the Royal Institution of Cornwall purchased the building in 1908 to house their growing collections. The right hand part of the building was formerly Truro Baptist Chapel, built in 1850. The chapel was purchased by the RIC in 1985 as an extension to the museum. Extensive refurbishment and additions followed, including the 'link' building. An upper floor was added to the Baptist Chapel creating the Treffry gallery. The architect of both original buildings was Philip Sambell (1798-1874). Photographer: Nicki Foley

© RIC, photographer Nicki Foley

Two Iron Age brooches from the Iron Age cemetery at Harlyn Bay, St Merryn, Cornwall. 1900-1906

Two Iron Age brooches from the cemetery which was excavated between 1900 and 1906. The photograph shows the topside of one brooch and the underside of another. When digging foundations for a new house to be built, Mr Reddie Mallett made an important archaeological discovery by finding a cist containing human remains. Excavations over the next 6 years found Harlyn Bay to be the largest Iron Age burial site in Cornwall. Bronze Age barrows had been discovered in 1864, on the west side of the bay, near the cliff edge, by a labourer digging a pond on land owned by Mr Hellyar. Photographer: Unknown

© From the collection of the RIC