Find out about: St Ives Museum

About Us

St Ives Museum

The Museum is located in the heart of the old St Ives fishing community of Downlong.
Formerly the building housed a Pilchard Curing Cellar, Bible Christian Chapel then a laundry and cinema.
The British Sailors Society Mission occupied the first floor until 1968 when the St Ives Museum were offered space. Over the next few years the famous Troika Pottery vacated the ground floor enabling the museum to expand further.
This independent museum is administered entirely by volunteers.

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Facilities

  • Wheelchair access

    Wheelchair Access

  • Childrens activities

    Family friendly

Toilets - located at the end of Smeaton's Pier.
Children's activity sheets can be purchased for 20p.
Find for fun - tiny models of cats and kittens are located among the display cases for younger children to search out. "As I was going to St Ives .."

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Our Collections

Hain Steamship Company
Boat Building
Model boats
Pilchard Curing Cellar

 

The Hain Room

"Edward Hain founded this famous local Steamship Company in St Ives in 1878. His father established a local fleet of merchant sailing ships one of which was the" Margaret Hain" The subsequent steamer fleet all bore the Cornish prefix "TRE" - Trewidden, Trelyon.

The Hain Room

Boat building

Long a vital part of St Ives' industry the skills of local boat builders are featured here. Photographs, models and rescue equipment associated with Wrecks are part of this display.

Boat building

Model boats

Associated with a local tradition when locals sailed their model boats in the harbour and at Consols pool on Good Friday

Model boats

Pilchard Curing Cellar

When this area was being prepared for display a corbelled pressing ledge was revealed which dates back about 175 years. The display includes a variety of pilchard pressing methods.

Pilchard Curing Cellar

Mining

St Ives and the immediate area was a hive of mining industry in the 19th century. The display includes photographs and tools.

Mining
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Admission & Prices

Open for the season from the Monday before Easter (closed on Good Friday) until the end of October

Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm
Saturday 10am to 4pm
closed on Sundays

Adults £2
Children 50p
no concessions

School parties and other groups preferably by prior arrangement.

There is no charge for Cornish schools but a donation would be much appreciated

Dogs on a lead welcome