Two years ago we transformed the Mineral Gallery, marking the first major milestone in Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery’s redevelopment. Six months later we reopened the Heart of Cornwall Gallery, Nature Gallery and Art Gallery. The museum is now reflecting on the impact of its transformation and the difference it has made.
Before the pandemic, annual visitor numbers hovered around 25,000. Years of underinvestment had left the museum facing significant challenges, including a leaking roof and galleries in need of modernisation. This spring, however, the museum closed its financial year having welcomed 50,554 visitors – more than doubling pre-pandemic attendance.
The museum’s volunteer community has grown alongside this success, with volunteer numbers doubling over the same period. In the last five years alone, volunteers have contributed an extraordinary 23,900 hours, supporting vital research, caring for collections and helping to create a welcoming experience for visitors.
The museum’s educational reach has also expanded significantly. Since 2021, more than 17,200 school-aged children from across Cornwall have engaged with the museum’s learning programmes, while almost 200 loan boxes have been distributed to schools to support classroom learning and bring Cornwall’s history directly into local communities.
Beyond the statistics, the visitor experience has been completely reimagined. Through displays drawn from a collection of more than one million objects, the museum now brings Cornwall’s rich heritage, distinctive culture and remarkable stories vividly to life for new generations of visitors.
The transformation programme delivered £5.412 million of investment into the museum, generating an estimated total economic impact of £8.118 million across the local economy and supply chain.
Museums play a vital role in our communities. They preserve heritage, inspire curiosity, connect young people with the past and contribute to health and wellbeing. The impact of Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery’s transformation extends far beyond its walls.
Read our full Five Year Impact Report here.
