Porthcurno Telegraph Museum

The technology behind communication has changed the world. Mobiles, fibre optics, the World Wide Web, radio and television would not have been possible without the development of the telegraph and early wireless technology.

We are here to tell part of this story; from the first use of electricity to how we communicate today. How cable communication and early wireless technology came to change our perceptions and our everyday lives.

The Porthcurno Telegraph Museum is a museum located in the small coastal village of Porthcurno Cornwall, UK. Porthcurno was the point at which many submarinetelegraph cables—transatlantic and to other locations—came ashore. The museum, which opened in May 1998, is housed in the former telegraph facility.

Porthcurno has a unique historic provenance: this is where the telegraph cables that linked Britain with its Empire and other nations came ashore. The valley was the hub of international cable communications from 1870-1970 and also training college for the communications industry until 1993. Porthcurno was the largest cable station in the world.

Our collection is unique in its completeness. We have the only working cable station (complete in all details except the actual cable) in the world. We also have all the supporting materials and associated ephemera that are rarely preserved with such collections. Porthcurno also had one of the earliest commercial wireless stations in 1902 so we are able to show the emerging competition between cable and wireless technology.

The ethos of the museum is to have as much as possible to be demonstrated in working order. To keep the collections working we rely on the knowledge and support of a dedicated team of volunteers.

The role of the cable station and the training school at Porthcurno has had a significant impact on the valley and local communities. The museum is now a focus for representing local history as well as communications technology.

Activities

Every day is a new adventure with family activities every day at the newly reopened Telegraph Museum Porthcurno.

Every Monday: Science Busking
Join our Science Busking street team for surprising science and explosive family fun.

Every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday: Creative Crafts
Get your creative juices flowing with different artistic activities, and things to make and take home to treasure.

Every Wednesday: Love History
Get closer than ever to our special objects and meet our friendly Collections Team to discover museum secrets. Find us indoors or out depending on the weather, and be ready to muck in!

Every Thursday and Saturday: World War One People
We're bringing history to life. Will you bump into Red Cross Nurse Helen, or Tommy our WW1 soldier?

Activities included with normal admission, booking not necessary.