Kresen Kernow

Kresen Kernow is an archive center in Redruth that gathers and preserves extensive materials on Cornwall's past. The facility holds historical maps, photographs, books, and important documents such as parish registers and land records that were brought together from several earlier institutions.

The facility opened in 2019 at the site of the former Redruth Brewery. It brought together collections from multiple earlier archives to centralize all documentary holdings in one location.

The archive holds handwritten records that document how people in Cornwall lived across many generations. Visitors can browse through personal diaries, business letters, and other papers that tell the stories of ordinary people throughout the region.

Visitors can use the reading rooms to view original documents and records, and staff help with finding genealogical or historical information. The modern facilities are designed to store books and papers safely while making them easily accessible.

The archive received one of the largest grants ever given by the National Lottery to a heritage project, showing how important it is recognized as a cultural institution. The funding enabled installation of advanced storage technology and protective systems to preserve documents for future generations.

Location: Redruth

Inception: 1950s

Address: Kresen Kernow, Little Vauxhall, Redruth TR15 1AS

Website: https://cornwall.gov.uk/community-and-living/records-archives-and-cornish-studies/cornwall-record-office

GPS coordinates: 50.23511,-5.23554

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:23