Penlee House, Museum and Gallery houses a permanent collection of paintings by artists of both the Newlyn and Lamorna Schools. This collection is being constantly developed through purchases, gifts, bequests and long-term loans and various displays are presented throughout each year.Some of the best known works in the gallery include 'The Rain it Raineth Every Day' by Norman Garstin, 'School is Out' by Elizabeth Forbes and 'Among the Missing' by Walter Langley.
Penlee House is home to the historic collections of Penzance Town Council, Penwith District Council and Newlyn Art Gallery. The museum was built as a private house in 1865 and completely refurbished in 1997.
The modern gallery and museum are set within a gracious Victorian house, surrounded by an attractive park. The gallery exhibitions focus on the historic art of West Cornwall, usually including the world famous Newlyn School artists, such as Stanhope, Walter Langley and Lamorna Birch, all of whom lived in this area.
Founded in 1839, the museum collections cover 6000 years of history in West Cornwall from the Stone Age to the 20th century. Thousands of photographic images can be studied on computer, including photographs of Cornwall from the 1860s to the 1960s.
The Orangery Cafe is attached to the museum and is open for morning coffee, afternoon tea and a range of light lunches. It has a sunny terrace overlooking the park. There is also a shop offering a wide range of prints, books, gifts and souvenirs.
The museum and gallery is open from Monday to Saturday each week, apart from at Christmas and New Year. It is situated close to the centre of Penzance.
