Murdoch House - Redruth

06/03/2026

Open tomorrow from 10:00 til 15:00 for light refreshments as part of the St Piran's Day celebrations.

09/06/2025

This years Murdoch Day was also the day chosen to unveil our World Origin Site plaque. Perran Moon for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle unveiled the plaque alongside Deborah Reeve: Representing Redruth and Martin Wilkie of the World Origin Site organisation. Despite the weather Murdoch day was a success, cementing it's importance as a community event in Redruth, we also had visitors coming from Bristol and Scotland to experience the day.
The plaque marks Murdoch house as an important site in history, noting that it was the first building in the world to be lit by gas. We are also the only place in Cornwall, so far, to receive a World Origin Site plaque. Redruth continuing it's track record for 'firsts' !
Thanks to Martin Wilkie, Perran Moon and Deborah Reeve, all the volunteers who enable Murdoch House to be open, and of course everyone who came to see the unveiling and braved the showers.

07/06/2025

Murdoch House will be open from 10:00 til 16:00 for light refreshments.

Soak in the atmosphere of this historic building with Hetty from Cobweb Tours who will be on hand with a selection of 18th century treats and a wealth of information about William Murdoch's time in Redruth.

In addition, from 10:00 til 13:00, the wonderful 'We are Redruth' project will be capturing portraits of the people of Redruth. Pop in to have your picture taken; its free!

We are also delighted to announce that Murdoch House has been awarded accreditation as a World Origin Site with a special plaque unveiling at midday.

06/06/2025

We are super excited for tomorrow! Please make sure to come along at midday to see the plaque unveiling as we celebrate becoming a World Origin Site.

Powered Manned Flight Orville and Wilbur Wright 17th December 1903 Accredited World Origin Site WOS0004 17th December 2023 Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, NC, 27948, USA MARKING THE ORIGINS OF OUR MODERN WORLD Landmark Inventions Life-changing Discoveries World Firsts GLOBAL ACCREDITATION FOR:

06/06/2025

Pop in for a cuppa and a slice of cake.

02/06/2025

Murdoch House Press Release:
Murdoch House receives accreditation as a World Origin Site
Redruth 2000, the charity which runs Murdoch House, are delighted to
announce that they have been awarded accreditation as a World Origin Site
to be bestowed by Perran Moon MP, on 7th June 2025 at midday as part of Redruth’s annual Murdoch Day Celebrations. This will be the first site in Cornwall to
receive such an accolade and will join other sites across the UK, such as the
birthplace of the modern railway in Darlington and the first iron bridge in
Telford, Shropshire and across the world such as the site of the first
manpowered flight in North Carolina, USA and the first successful human to
human heart transplant in Cape Town, South Africa
What is a World Origin Site?
A World Origin Site is somewhere completely unique. It marks the place,
people and moment when something truly ground-breaking was invented,
discovered or first used.
This includes where and when some of our most famous brands, familiar
products and global companies originated.
Only one place on the planet can ever lay claim to these landmark moments
in the development of our modern world.
World Origin Site .Org has been created to record, recognise and celebrate
these sites whether they are marked by a monument, museum or are just a
humble house, shed or street corner. Every World Origin Site matters.
This historic building was once home to the prolific Scottish inventor &
adopted son of Redruth, William Murdoch (1754-1839). Whilst living here
Murdoch worked on some of his most famous inventions, including the
Murdoch Flyer, the first working model of a steam locomotive, which paved
the way for Richard Trevithick’s high pressure Steam Engine and eventually
Stephenson’s Rocket.
Perhaps Murdoch’s key invention is the application of gas lighting, derived
from heating coal and Murdoch House was the first domestic house in the
world to be lit by gas
The trustees of Redruth 2000 have worked hard to retell the story of William
Murdoch, celebrating his achievements and to introducing his
accomplishments to a wider audience. Funding has allowed us to carry out
some much needed refurbishments and to install an historic interpretation of
the life of Murdoch within the house where he once lived.
This award will help to bring William Murdoch & his work to a wider audience
and put Redruth firmly on the map as a place of innovation and invention.
Deborah Reeve
Chair
Redruth 2000

07/03/2025

Looking forward to a great evening of music.

The first of our Friday evening concets for 2025.

03/03/2025

Some of the lovely cakes we had on offer for St Pirans day.
Don't forget we are usually open on Fridays for a drink and a slice of cake.

28/02/2025