An independent library established in 1818 with 70K books, archives, and historic photographs housed on floor-to-ceiling shelves.
Joined October 2013
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1,531 Photos and videos
Our Photo Archive intern Sam is back with his next blog. “Penzance Then and Now” explores #Penzance history using archival photos and some comparative contemporary images. Sam shows us photos of Market Jew Street and Chapel Street. Read it here: shorturl.at/CYJnj
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For our #PhotoFriday Holidays theme today, a popular spot for tourists and #Penzance locals - the Jubilee Pool! Here we have a postcard with a view of the pool, postmarked 15 Aug 1954. #exploreyourarchive #Cornwall #Swimming #holiday #JubileePool #LovePenzance #PhotoArchive
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Stuff of legends - Piskies, giants, mermaids, wizards and more at @Cornwall_Museum ! Have you been to see their mythical exhibit yet? Some of our Hilda Quick collection is on display and the whole gallery looks incredible!
#Library #Cornwall #exhibition #postcard #HildaQuick
ALT Drop into the library to see some of the designs we chose for our cards, including the ‘Happy Housewife’ series, or have a look on our website: https://morrablibrary.org.uk/hilda-quick-cards/
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Will you be joining us on Friday for our free tour? Find out about the beautiful building we call home, the Library's history in Penzance and more!
Just drop in to the library to join this free guided tour - Friday 12th June
#Library #librarytour #Loveyourlibrary #LovePenzance
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With #Golowan this month we wanted to share information from our collections on its origins. William #Borlase, in his 1754 book, ‘Antiquities...of the County of Cornwall,' described some of the festivities back then. See a quote in the comments.
@Go_All_In_2026
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“the Festival Fires... are kindled on the Eve of St. John...and St. Peter’s Day, and Midsummer is thence, in the Cornish tongue, call’d Goluan, which signifies both Light, and Rejoicing...the Cornish attend with lighted torches... and make perambulations round their Fires...”
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As #VolunteersWeek ends,and despite our 72 #volunteers proving camera-shy, we cannot sing their praises from the rooftops enough! Without them there would be no Morrab Library. They bring hard work, commitment, and joy to our special place. An enormous thank you to all of you!
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With the start of summer, our Photo Fridays theme for June is Holidays! This is the Watergate Bay Hotel near Newquay, opened in 1900.
#Library #ExploreYourArchive #PhotoArchive #Newquay #Cornwall #hotel #holiday #WatergateBay #Summer #Seaside
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On the 18th March, we welcomed Tom Greeves as he delivered a fascinating talk about Dartmoor poet and playwright, Mark Beeson.
You can find the talk recording here: shorturl.at/6iJfP
#Library #lecture #librarytalk
#books #dartmoor #MarkBeeson
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During #PrideMonth, we welcome Dr. Paul Taylor-McCartney discussing his new book Cornwall Uncharted: Mapping Cornwall’s #Queer History of Concealment, Culture and Creativity. Enter the ballot to apply for tickets, more info here: shorturl.at/D9eup
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The prizes for our Summer Fair on 20th June are brilliant! First prize is this beautiful print from local artist Sarah Bell. We also have prizes from Penlee Open Air Theatre, Barton Books and Circa 21. Thanks to all!
#SummerFair #LovePenzance #SupportYourLibrary #SupportLocal
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There's a new #exhibition in our display case! 'Notable Appellations' showcases famous #signatures from our #archives, and features letters from #Wordsworth, #CharlotteBronte, #Shackleton, #Gladstone and more. Drop in when you can or read our blog here: shorturl.at/Vxful
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A little bit of nautical terminology for our final Photo Friday of May.
‘Tucking a pilchard seine’ See alt text for description.
Photo Archive Identifier: FISH 8.007
#Library #exploreyourarchive #photoarchive #fishing #Cornwall #nautical #pilchard
ALT ‘Tucking a pilchard seine’ was when an exceptionally large catch was netted. The "tucker" was a smaller net used to keep the bulk of the catch in the main net (centre of picture) whilst the rest of the catch was carted away. This was reputedly one of the biggest "landings" recorded in this area, in the 1920s.
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Join us on the 25th June for a display of some of the Library’s rare and historic books, including titles by William #Borlase, Daniel #Defoe, #Aristotle, #Cervantes, and #Shakespeare.
More info here: shorturl.at/gy8NA
#RareBooks #RareBookExhibition #CornishCollections
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Year 10 student Coby joined us last week for some #WorkExperience. He shadowed the #volunteers and learnt all about cataloguing, conservation, indexing the photo collections and more.
Read his blog sharing his experiences with us during his time here: shorturl.at/sy3G8
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Alison and Lisa are here at the Pengarth Community Day in the Morrab Gardens, right next to the fire engine!
Come and say hello, and enjoy a free cream tea from Pengarth.
#CommunityDay #LovePenzance
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Last week we introduced you to our #PhotoArchive #intern Sam,a History PhD student.
Here's his first blog about the collections he is researching, exploring the interaction between humans and #MarineCreatures as seen through our Archives: shorturl.at/GypQ1
#MaritimeHistory
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Join Jan and Lisa on Thursday 28th May from 10.30am - 12pm to hear the story of the rebellious teddy bear, Ruby, written by Maggie Glen.
Email enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk to book a place.
#Library #storytime #childrenstory #cake
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Our penultimate nautically themed Photo Friday for this month sees a rather large looking beastie!
Here’s a fisherman holding a huge lobster.
Photo Archive Identifier: ANIM 2HF 018
#Library #exploreyourarchive #photoarchive #Cornwall #nautical #lobster
ALT Photo Archive Identifier: ANIM 2HF 018
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