Penzance Selects- Introduction

One of the hidden gems of the collections at Penlee House is the photography collection of around 15,000 images, mostly of the people and places of West Cornwall.
A group from the John Daniel Centre, which supports adults who have learning difficulties, were keen to explore the historic photographs of Penzance, comparing the town as it is now to how it appears in early photography.
The group visited Penlee House to see the original photographs in the stores. They then selected photographs showing landmarks and important places in the town and researched their history for the display in this gallery.
They also worked with artist Melanie Young to create a large map of Penzance which highlights the sites where some of the old photographs were taken.
Their artwork and research have been used as the basis for a guided trail around the town, available as a paper map and as a digital audio trail, which the group have narrated. Both of these allow visitors to take the collections with them out into Penzance and to explore the town then and now.

The John Daniel Centre Penlee Project Group are: Care Worker Sue Yeates, Pam, Tony, Sally, Stephen, Kerry-Ann, Gary, Larry, Clive, Tina, Jo, Anthony and Charmaine.