Callington Heritage Centre

The Heritage Centre is housed in an old chapel within the Town Cemetery. This building dates from the latter half of the 19c but has recently been refurbished.

Being a small venue, many items are stored in the archive. These items need regular checks to see that they remain in good condition. It seemed a good idea to exhibit some of these, and next year the exhibition will be themed "Then and Now", showing how once familiar items fell out of use and were replaced.

Our oldest items are mineral rocks, with a few "imported strangers", such as the flint recovered from Kit Hill. Maps from the late 18th century onwards show how the town grew, and what still remains in use from this earlier period.

Street furniture changed from granite mile stones (some with the government arrow indicating they were cut by prisoners at Dartmoor), with additional names and designs, up to modern characterless sign posts. The market closed and a residential home, called Chyvaras after the market, now stands on the site. New Road was driven right through the hotel on Fore Street, what remains of the hotel is now residential flats and shops.

The Tollgate was once just that, a toll gate, decorated with tiles produced in a local works. The tannery, gas works and much sub-standard housing have been demolished. Most of the public houses have new uses. Banners, china, medals and bills recall chapel, friendly societies and businesses which bear new names. It is the history of a small town marked by inevitable gaps and with chance survivals giving it substance. We hope you will be able to visit.