Concerns over Charlestown shipwreck museum up for sale

After the site was put up for sale, historians hope to salvage artifacts from a local Cornwall museum.

The Shipwreck Treasure Museum in Charlestown – which contains more than 7,000 objects – was bring to market for £1.95 million from owner Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project.

The proposed sale has raised concerns about the future of the site and its artefacts, particularly those with strong connections to the village.

A museum spokesman said all artefacts from the site were being examined and it was hoped that some items with “special cultural interest to Charlestown” would remain in the village.

The museum has one of the largest collections of its kind in the UK, with artefacts recovered from shipwrecks such as the Mary Rose and the Titanic.

Local artifacts can also be found on site, including a bell from the old Charlestown estate.

Lyndon Allen, who runs Charlestown Walking Tours, said he is negotiating with the museum owners to acquire some artifacts.

He said it would be a sad day if the items were removed from the area as part of a sale of the site.

“I just hope something productive comes out of this,” Mr. Allen said.

Cornwall historian Elizabeth Dale said it was a great shame the museum was up for sale.

She added that items donated by local groups and families should not be sold.

Mrs Dale said: “It’s sad for Charlestown locally, but it’s sad for Cornwall as a whole because we’re losing a wonderful museum.”

The museum management said they were looking for a suitable new home for the artifacts.

“We hope that some items of particular cultural interest to Charlestown will remain in the community and are working with various organizations and partners to make this possible,” a museum spokesman said.