Cornish Mining

Geevor Underground

Geevor at Grass

Life at the edge

Rocks and Metals

Miners at Home

Mining was not just a job; it was a way of life. 

Where the mine company owned the housing, the mine dominated daily life. Cornish mining transformed both the region’s landscape and its society. It helped to create a distinctive culture. By the mid-nineteenth century, Cornwall had created a proud and assertive regional identity, associated most closely with the mining districts.

 

Women

Click to see a larger version of this imagegroup of balmaidens

Bal Maidens

From the early 18th century women and girls were employed above the ground in growing numbers doing low paid manual work.


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Housing

Click to see a larger version of this imageareial view of main street in Pendeen

The growth of the mining industry created more jobs this led to rapid population growth and the creation of new settlements. 


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Children in the Mines

Click to see a larger version of this imagetwo young boy miners

In the 18th and 19th centuries children were employed above and below ground.


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Home life

Click to see a larger version of this imagestreet in pendeen. black and white view

The Cornish family in the past was distinctive because there was a relatively equal division of labour between men and women.


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Comment left by jim on 2009-10-12 15:31:02

His website has enlightened me. I now look at everything in a new light. I have inhaled coal dust.

Comment left by niamh on 2009-11-02 15:08:02

good information

 

Comment left by richyboy 77 on 2011-09-29 12:23:03

cool

 

Comment left by Oscar on 2011-10-12 22:28:45

Thanks!, Really helped with my essay

 

Comment left by nicola rayner on 2013-03-06 19:15:26

thank you very much help my son with his home work.

 

Comment left by Cassie on 2014-05-06 18:54:31

Went along with the school today, I've lived down here for most of my life but I'd never been to Geevor before. It was so interesting, such great guides, kids and adults were totally fascinated ALL day. Thanks so much to all who are involved, I'll be taking the rest of the family down ASAP.

 

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