Penwith Local History Group | Penzance, Cornwall, UK

Penwith Local History Group

Welcome

We research the fascinating history of West Penwith by working with original sources as much as possible. We publish our findings every two or three years.

The Morrab Library showing the new extension.
Photo Glyn Richards

Fullscreen Map

On this Day 8th May 1843

Water Piped into St Ives

The water was brought into the town this day. The expense was defrayed by public subscription – Mr Stephens, of Tregenna, giving £100 and Mr Praed £100. There are eight public fountains. To celebrate the event a band of music went round the town, followed by a great concourse of people. John Tregerthen Short, 8 May 1843 in his diary.

Images of our publications

Our new publication is now available:

"Beyond the Bookshelves"

Edited by Sally Corbet

price £15.00
plus p&p

Click here to see all the Penwith Local History Group publications.

The Penwith Papers

Old Ovens in West Cornwall

Many old houses in the far west of Cornwall once had large open hearths but the ovens in the wall beside them were often blocked up and forgotten. The drawing of one in the old Zennor Wayside Museum shows the hole for the oven in the wall above the bench on the left (figure 1). These ovens date from the early seventeenth century to the late nineteenth century.