Morrab Library
| Morrab Library | |
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Morrab library
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| Former names | Penzance Library |
| General information | |
| Location | Penzance, Cornwall |
| Coordinates | 50°6′57″N 5°32′13″W / 50.11583°N 5.53694°WCoordinates: 50°6′57″N 5°32′13″W / 50.11583°N 5.53694°W |
The Morrab Library is an independent library based in Penzance, Cornwall in the UK.
The library, situated in Morrab House within Morrab Gardens, was founded in 1818 and is financed through membership subscriptions. The first president was Sir Rose Price Bart of Trengwainton and by 1820 the library had over one hundred members. It is notable for its large Celtic studies collection and local archives and should not to be confused with Penzance public library which was in, nearby, Morrab Road and is now in St John's Hall in Alverton Street.
Morrab House was built in 1841 for brewer Samuel Pidwell and the house is described as "...a large stucco villa in the Georgian manner with columned porch". Shortly after the Pidwell family moved to Portugal, it became the home of Charles Campbell Ross, Member of Parliament for the St Ives constituency from 1881–1885. On 16 July 1888 the house and walled gardens was bought by the Corporation of Penzance for £3,120 for use as a municipal park. The gardens opened on 27 September 1889 with a half day holiday and a procession through the streets. The library moved into Morrab House in the same year.
The Morrab Library is a member of the Association of Independent Libraries, founded in 1989.
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