A MUSEUM in Launceston has received a top award at the Cornwall Museums Partnership Heritage Awards Ceremony. 

Lawrence House has announced that it received a ‘Highly Commended’ certificate the recent Cornwall Museums Partnership Heritage Awards Ceremony for their 1830’s Reform Flask. 

The occasion hopes to bring together the very best projects, collaborations, initiatives and teams from organisations all over Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. There are more than 70 heritage organisations in Cornwall of great variety and individuality, including museums, art galleries, castles, mines, historic properties, industrial heritage sites, archives and community museums.  

2024’s event saw Launceston’s Lawrence House enter in the competition.

The museum, set in one of the town’s Georgian houses – built in 1753 – is owned by the National Trust and leased to Launceston Town Council who use it to house the town museum and as a civic centre. Stewards run front of house, helping visitors with information about the collection and the history of the town.  

Behind the scenes there is a team catalogues objects, creates interesting displays, puts on exhibitions and cares for the collection.

However, most recently the site has been recognised at one of the county’s specialist award ceremonies. Launceston Town Councillor, Rob Tremain attended the event, he explained: “The afternoon presentations explored how museums and allied organisations respond to a sense of place in our unique Cornish heritage landscapes. 

“The evening awards ceremony was hosted by Daphne Skinnard of BBC Radio Cornwall. Categories were: Collaboration; Innovation; Heritage Heroes; Leader of the Year; One to Watch (junior participation); Exhibition of the Year; Spirit of the Awards, and Object of the Year. 

“Lawrence House was shortlisted for the ‘Object of the Year’ category. 

“The object from our collection was an 1830’s Reform Flask. The pottery wine flask celebrates the 1832 Reform Act, which changed the political landscape of Cornwall and Launceston.”

Despite a strong entry, Lawrence House was not chosen as overall winner, however, the museum still enjoyed some success. 

Cllr Tremain continued: “The winner was from Kresen Kernow (Archive and Cornish Studies Service) whose object was the Manor Map of Lelant and Trevethow – one of the earliest representations of Cornwall’s landscape and how its people lived and worked. 

“We were pleased to be awarded a Highly Commended certificate.”