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  • our-collections
  1. Our work
  2. Our collections

Our collections

The collection at Wheal Martyn incorporates objects and archive material which tell the story of Cornwall’s china clay industry - a ERF lorrysignificant part of Cornwall’s industrial heritage. 

As the only china clay museum in Europe, and probably the world, our collections are important both nationally and internationally. Combined with our built heritage, they are a unique resource for the people of Cornwall, visitors and future generations.

Object collection

We hold a collection of objects comprising almost 10,000 accessioned items, including industry tools, scientific instruments and mining memorabilia.

The collection provides a focus for culture within Cornwall’s clay area; our objects represent different aspects of community life, such as bands, choirs and chapels, in addition to paintings of the landscape and key people of the industry.  Literature is also a theme, with objects relating to the renowned local poet Jack Clemo, who was deaf and blind, and whose work was inspired by the landscape of ‘clay country’.

We have a programme of ongoing conservation work, two recent examples – the restoration of a Mobile Crane and the Torycombe Signal Box can be seen on our projects page. 

Geology

Our grounds have important geological features, including a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The granite here shows a state of kaolinisation usually only seen underground, at the bottom of a clay pit.

We also hold a collection of minerals, including some unusual and rare specimens. 

Did you know?

Some of the founding fathers of geology exercised their minds in china clay country and it helped them to develop some fundamental concepts in the subject.

Archive

We hold a substantial archive, most of which has been assembled since 2000 by the volunteers of the China Clay History Society. pit captains

Our archive covers many subjects relating to china clay mining, its associated industries and communities: for example, transport, shipping, geology, local culture, land use, engineering, mineralogical research, and labour relations.

We have records from many former mining companies and individual collections - including about 400 document boxes, 2,000 maps, 400 aerial photographs, 100,000 photographs, 200 films and several hundred engineering drawings! The main body comprises the records of English China Clays Ltd. which was established in 1919 and was taken over by Imerys Minerals Ltd. in 2000. 

We are grateful to Imerys Minerals Ltd. for providing the archive’s current accommodation while we work to develop plans so that it can be moved to purpose-built facilities at Wheal Martyn.  We are also extremely grateful to the China Clay History Society volunteers, who facilitate research enquires and provide access to the general public by arrangement.

Below are just a few tasters of what the archive includes:

Photographs

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The archive includes photographs covering a wide range of topics including clay folk, pastimes, clay villages, railways, road transport, clay pits, machinery and landscapes.

workers in the pit  pan kiln archive photo

Published: 20th February, 2020

Updated: 27th February, 2020

Author: Annabel Underwood

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Books and publications

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We hold copies of most of the books written on the china clay industry, together with many items on associated industries such as mining and railways. We also have an extensive collection of trade publications from the earliest china clay companies through to English China Clays Ltd. and Imerys Minerals Ltd.

books

Published: 20th February, 2020

Updated: 27th February, 2020

Author: Annabel Underwood

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Maps

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We have a large collection of Ordnance Survey maps, e.g. 1907 series 1:2500 sheets covering most of mid-Cornwall and North Cornwall and some sheets from West Cornwall and Devon; 1973 series 1:2500 covering most of mid-Cornwall and some of West Cornwall and Devon, and 1906 series 1:10560 covering most of mid- Cornwall and some of Devon.

We also have aerial photographs of the china clay area dating from 1948.

 map map

Published: 20th February, 2020

Updated: 27th February, 2020

Author: Annabel Underwood

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Documents

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These include leases or “Setts” to work for china clay (granted to the early china clay companies in the 19th century), engineering drawings, plans, correspondence and publications from English Clays Lovering Pochin (ECLP), English China Clays (ECC) and other clay companies. They have mostly been catalogued and it is possible to search for information on particular locations or topics.

sett sett

Published: 20th February, 2020

Updated: 27th February, 2020

Author: Annabel Underwood

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Showing 10 of 4

Latest

  • Meet our new Trainee Curator, Alexander

    Meet our new Trainee Curator, Alexander

    A blog by our new Trainee Curator, Alexander

  • Welcome to our new Citizen Curators

    Welcome to our new Citizen Curators

    Welcome to our 2021 cohort of Citizen Curators at Wheal Martyn! Andy, Penny, Eilish, Richard, Pippa and Joana have joined us on a digital programme (in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines), and will be researching the people of the china clay industr

  • Clay Works Practical Completion Achieved

    Clay Works Practical Completion Achieved

    We are delighted to announce that we have recently achieved practical completion of the Clay Works building works, which have created a wonderful new gallery for changing exhibitions and an activity/learning space at Wheal Martyn.

  • Reflections on Cornwall with Simon Reeve

    Reflections on Cornwall with Simon Reeve

    Many of us have now watched the new Simon Reeve two-part documentary on Cornwall which highlighted issues which are often forgotten by other media representations of the duchy.

Most read

  • New Engagement Officer Appointed

    New Engagement Officer Appointed

    We are pleased to announce that Sian Powell has been appointed as Engagement Officer for Wheal Martyn, following her internship as Trainee Curator.

  • We are currently closed

    We are currently closed

    We are currently closed according to current Coronavirus restrictions.

  • Our Proud Roots - a family exploration of our proud roots

    Our Proud Roots - a family exploration of our proud roots

    Proudly celebrating our local landscape, environment and people, Our Proud Roots is a chance to explore and reflect on what makes our place and community special, as seen through fresh eyes and with a new perspective in our changed world. This is a chance to re-discover nature and the wonderful effects it has on our body and soul!

  • Buy a ticket - timed slots

    Pre-book a timed slot to visit Wheal Martyn.

  • Welcoming our community and visitors back

    Welcoming our community and visitors back

    Since reopening on the 5 July, we have enjoyed welcoming back lots of familiar faces as well as some new visitors.

  • Meet our new Trainee Curator, Alexander

    Meet our new Trainee Curator, Alexander

    A blog by our new Trainee Curator, Alexander

  • A perspective on Wheal Martyn, by a volunteer

    A perspective on Wheal Martyn, by a volunteer

    I like to think that in some small way we volunteers – whatever task we do - are making a contribution to the preservation of the industry history in general and Wheal Martyn (something once commonplace but now virtually unique) in particular.  Not just for the benefit of future generations but also so that it will not be lost.  So future Cornwall explorers can be as astounded as I was.

  • Wheal Martyn receives £49,800 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund

    Wheal Martyn receives £49,800 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund

    We have received £49,800 in National Lottery support to help address the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on heritage.

  • CURRENT EXHIBITION: Celebrate Clay Country

    CURRENT EXHIBITION: Celebrate Clay Country

    On display outdoors around the Wheal Martyn grounds from August – Christmas

  • Wheal Martyn Clay Works wins award for wellbeing in Cornwall Heritage Awards

    Wheal Martyn Clay Works wins award for wellbeing in Cornwall Heritage Awards

    We are delighted to have won the ‘Wellbeing’ award for larger museums in the 2020 Cornwall Heritage Awards, hosted virtually by Cornwall Museums Partnership in October.

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Wheal Martyn
St. Austell
Cornwall
PL26 8XG

01726 850362
[email protected]

Registered Charity No. 1001838

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Wheal Martyn Clay Works is currently closed according to current Coronavirus restrictions. Please keep an eye on our website for updates.