PK PORTHCURNO is a UK-registered charity (Charity number 1189090) dedicated to preserving and promoting the historic telegraph station and its collections located in Porthcurno, Cornwall. The organisation operates the PK Porthcurno Museum of Global Communications, which explores the history and impact of global communications from the arrival of the first undersea telegraph cable in 1870 to the modern interconnected world.

History and Mission

PK PORTHCURNO was established to safeguard the important historic buildings and archival collections associated with the telegraph station at Porthcurno. The charity aims to educate the public about the international history of telecommunications and to provide research resources of global significance. The Museum of Global Communications serves as a hub for exploring the evolution of worldwide communications and the communities shaped by it.

Activities

The charity focuses on several key activities:

• Preservation of historic structures and collections related to the Porthcurno telegraph station.
• Public education through exhibitions, learning programmes, and events that demonstrate the development of global communications.
• Provision of internationally significant archives and research materials for scholars and the public interested in telecommunications history.
• Digital access expansion, including the PK Online Collections launched in 2022, which offers users worldwide access to digitised photographs and archive materials.

Recent Developments

In March 2023, PK PORTHCURNO received support from The National Archives’ Archives Resilience Grant, which funded improvements in the preservation and security of its digital archive. This grant enabled the purchase of new digital storage infrastructure to support ongoing digitisation efforts and future collecting activities, including an oral history project. The initiative has enhanced the charity’s capacity to maintain and expand access to its valuable collections.

Governance

The charity is managed by a board of trustees responsible for overseeing its work and administration. PK PORTHCURNO adheres to a comprehensive set of governance policies including risk management, volunteer management, safeguarding, and financial controls to ensure effective stewardship of its resources.

Recognition

PK PORTHCURNO and its team members have received recognition for their contributions to heritage and communications history. For example, a volunteer was awarded the ‘One to Watch’ category at the Cornwall Heritage Awards in 2025.

PK PORTHCURNO continues to develop its role as a cultural and educational institution, connecting visitors with the story of global communications and fostering understanding of the technological and social transformations enabled by telegraphy and beyond.

[1] https://pkporthcurno.com [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5156397 [3] https://pkporthcurno.com/join-support/donate/ [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5156397/full-print [5] https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sector/grants-and-funding/resilience-grants/pk-porthcurno/