Midas Construction completes Kresen Kernow

The construction contractor company, Midas Construction, has celebrated the completion of their latest project on the new Kresen Kernow archive for Cornish history and heritage, at the former site of the old Redruth Brewery.

The project was constructed at a cost of £21M, commissioned by the Cornwall Council with assistance from an £11.7M grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and took a full two years to complete.

The new state-of-the-art centre includes an archive and library with the world’s largest compilation of manuscripts, books, maps, photographs, records, and documents all related to Cornwall while the building itself it situated in the heart of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site in Redruth.

Building works included a new two-storey, concrete extension to the old brewhouse in addition to energy efficient, environmental control settings which will help to preserve the delicate documents present within the archive.

Some of the documents within the archive date as far back as 1150AD, meaning that their fragility requires specific conditions to maintain preservation, while the archive is said to bring together the Record Office, Cornish Studies Library, and Historic Environment Record archives for the first time in one location.

The Business Development Director at Midas Construction, Mike Borkowski stated: “Kresen Kernow is an iconic new building for Cornwall both visually and in terms of its cultural significance to the county.

“We are incredibly proud to have played our part in delivering this fantastic addition to the area, which will preserve the archives for present and future generations and allow local people and visitors to enjoy these in historic and sympathetically-refurbished surroundings.”

The Council Leader, Julian German added: “Kresen Kernow is a fantastic building, and a fitting home for Cornwall’s history, which our residents and visitors can enjoy and be proud of.”

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