A small but perfectly formed Cornwall museum dedicated to the history of communications has been honoured with a prestigious award. PK Porthcurno, Museum of Global Communications in West Cornwall, won the gold award in the 'Small Visitor Attraction of the Year' category at the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2024.
The museum tells the story of worldwide communications - located in the place where it all began - and the unsung heroes who have played a crucial role in connecting people over the years. The village of Porthcurno played a historic role in establishing Britain's first successful underwater telegraph lines.
Exhibits take visitors from early days of the electrical signal and Morse code to the cutting-edge technologies of today, including optical fibres, satellites, and multiplexing. It also has a "top-secret" World War Two bunker, escape stairs, and a cable hut situated above the beach a short walk away.
The museum has teamed up with GCHQ and the Mobile Phone Museum for exhibitions on code-breaking, cybersecurity, and the evolution of mobile phones. It has also established mc7, a consortium of seven Cornish museums, each representing a unique aspect of Cornwall’s heritage.
Its latest addition is Poppy PK - a 1950s mobile telegraph unit, which is taken to local schools to spark conversations about the evolution of communication - and the mobile phones we take for granted today.
Museum bosses said winning gold at Cornwall Tourism Awards "fills us with immense pride and recognition". They hailed it as a "significant milestone" in its history.
And it was a double award win for Porthcurno, with the Minack Theatre picking up the award for best large visitor attraction.
Julia Twomlow, creative director and CEO of PK Porthcurno said: "We are absolutely delighted to have received this prestigious award. It is such a wonderful achievement for our museum and a validation of the incredible work that our team do across all areas.
"Congratulations also to our lovely neighbours at the Minack Theatre for winning Large Visitor Attraction - making it a double gold for Porthcurno!"
Find out more about the museum here.
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