About Us

PK Porthcurno is a museum that explores the story of how the world connects.

From 1870, when the first undersea telegraph cable came ashore here from India, to the arrival of fibre optics which carry virtually all our communications today, the sands of Cornwall’s most idyllic beach have hidden the world’s greatest communications secrets.

In its iconic white building just off the beach, PK Porthcurno is a celebration of the pioneering achievements of unsung heroes, and the power of human ingenuity in the quest to connect people and places. Here, we transformed the way the world connects. PK Porthcurno is for people who want to understand how a once uninhabited valley in Cornwall became the heart of worldwide communications, how it remains so today, and what might happen tomorrow.

PK FRIENDS

By becoming a friend of PK Porthcurno, you are supporting vital projects including the conservation of our collection and historic listed buildings, our exhibitions and events, and our learning and public engagement programmes.

A brief introduction to PK Porthcurno: Museum of Global Communications

An introductory film, providing visuals and contextual information about the museum, tunnels, archive and valley. It situates Porthcurno in the history of global communications, while showcasing key objects in the museum’s collection and archive.

Filmed and edited by Alban Roinard & produced by Alice Howard


Vision, Mission & Values

OUR VISION:

A world where people are inspired by the past, understand the science and technology that connects them, and use that knowledge to imagine and shape a better future.

OUR MISSION:

We enable people to explore the connected world, understand the history, science and technology of global communications, and consider what this means in their own lives.

OUR VALUES:

Inspiring:  we love what we do and hope to inspire others by sharing our enthusiasm and inviting their participation
Progressive: we are forward thinking, adventurous and not afraid to try new things
Relevant: we engage people with our collections and stories and how these relate to their own lives
Sustainable: we work towards a sustainable world and aim to do no harm
Open: we create an inclusive and open environment which welcomes respectful discourse

“We have designed our civilization based on science and technology and at the same time arranged things so that almost no one understands anything at all about science and technology.  This is a clear prescription for disaster”

Carl Sagan

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