Morrab Library

Morrab Library
Morrab library
Former names Penzance Library
General information
Location Penzance, Cornwall
Coordinates 50°6′57″N 5°32′13″W / 50.11583°N 5.53694°W / 50.11583; -5.53694Coordinates: 50°6′57″N 5°32′13″W / 50.11583°N 5.53694°W / 50.11583; -5.53694

The Morrab Library is an independent library based in Penzance, Cornwall in the UK.

The library, situated in Morrab House within Morrab Gardens, was founded in 1818 and is financed through membership subscriptions. The first president was Sir Rose Price Bart of Trengwainton and by 1820 the library had over one hundred members.[1] It is notable for its large Celtic studies collection and local archives and should not to be confused with Penzance public library which was in nearby Morrab Road and is now in St John's Hall in Alverton Street.

Morrab House was built in 1841 for the brewer Samuel Pidwell and the house is described as "...a large stucco villa in the Georgian manner with columned porch". Shortly after the Pidwell family moved to Portugal, it became the home of Charles Campbell Ross, Member of Parliament for the St Ives constituency from 1881–1885.[2] On 16 July 1888 the house and walled gardens were bought by the Corporation of Penzance for £3,120 for use as a municipal park. The gardens opened on 27 September 1889 with a half day holiday and a procession through the streets. The library moved into Morrab House in the same year.[3]

The Morrab Library is a member of the Association of Independent Libraries, founded in 1989.

References

  1. ↑ Thomas, J (1820). The History of Mount's Bay. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  2. ↑ Pool, P A S (1974). The History of the Town and Borough of Penzance. Penzance: Penzance Corporation.
  3. ↑ Holland-Hall, F (2007). Robert Trenoweth, ed. The Cornish Garden. Cornwall Garden Society. pp. 197–204.
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