We are thrilled to announce that our independent charity is now caring for a former 19th-century engine house on Bodmin Moor, which in the 1990s was partially restored as a heritage centre for the surrounding area.
Cornwall Heritage Trust has taken ownership of Houseman’s Engine House – part of the 19th-century South Phoenix mine complex, which was transformed into Minions Heritage Centre in the 1990s. The centre closed in early 2020 and the building is not currently open to the public.
The site has been transferred to the charity from Cornwall Council.
Founded in 1985, the Trust protects historic places across Cornwall, which are all free for the general public to visit. It hosts a wide-reaching programme of wellbeing, education and community workshops, activities and events at these heritage sites and provides grants enabling visits to museums and historic monuments across Cornwall.
Houseman’s Engine House was likely constructed in 1881 and named in honour of the Company Chairman at the time. It sat over Houseman’s Shaft and was built for the last big pumping engine made in Cornwall. This was fabricated at Holman’s Foundry in Camborne.
The mine survived for longer than many of its neighbours but, by 1898, it was abandoned and the equipment sold for scrap and most of the buildings demolished.
The engine house was purchased and restored by Caradon District Council in the 1990s as part of the Minions area heritage project. The project saw the building transformed into Minions Heritage Centre, a free-to-visit exhibition about the history, archaeology and ecology of the surrounding area. The centre was closed in early 2020.
In 2024, Cornwall Heritage Trust undertook a project in conjunction with Cornwall Council to establish solutions to issues with the building, which could potentially result in the reopening of this invaluable community space and visitor attraction.
Community Consultation
Now that the charity has taken ownership of the site, it will be hosting a community consultation day on Tuesday 3rd March from 1–3.30pm.
Due to the current closure of Linkinhorne Parish Hall, the consultation will take place at Darite Village Hall, Darite, Liskeard, Cornwall, PL14 5JH. A second consultation will take place later this year within Linkinhorne Parish.
The consultation is not only an opportunity for the local community to meet the charity’s team, but also to offer ideas and suggestions for the future of the site, as well as information on its history and place in the local community.
The charity has already met with the local councillor and reached out to the parish council. It will continue to work closely with them and other stakeholders throughout this process.
