The history of Murdoch House
Murdoch House is in the heart of Redruth. It is a seventeenth century house (albeit largely rebuilt after a fire), which was once lived in by William Murdoch (1754 - 1839). In 1792 (or soon thereafter) Murdoch House became the first building in the world to be lit by gas. The house was bought for the Society of Friends in 1931 by Mr. Arthur Pearse Jenkin, a leading citizen of Redruth. It served as a Meeting House and later as a centre for educational and community activities, notably as a base for the Redruth Old Cornwall Society.
Under the guidance of the Honorary Warden, Dr. F. L. Harris and Dr. Frank Turk, several ground-breaking projects were established, notably the Cornish Biological Records Unit and the Cornish Biographical Index. Dr. Harris set up and funded the Cornish American Connection, with Mrs. Moira Tangye as its Director. This evolved into the Cornish Global Migration Programme under the guidance of Mrs. Juliet Jenkin. The Cornish Biological Records Unit's database later provided a foundation for that of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Responding to a suggestion from the Civic Trust in the 1990s concerning the value to a community of taking pride in its roots, the Redruth Story Group was created and extensive research and regular local history exhibitions continue to take place.
The house is now in the care of the Murdoch House Management Committee, leased from the Williams Trust with the help of a generous loan. It was acquired in 2008 for the benefit of Redruth and its townspeople and all who wish to see this most historic of buildings preserved as a public amenity. All costs have to be met by voluntary effort, supporting the modest income from room lettings. The committee members meet monthly to discuss maintenance and fund raising activities.