Polytechnic Hall

Polytechnic Hall, now a theatre, was constructed in 1833 by George Wightwick. The front of the building is stuccoed, likely over a rubble core. A rear wing, which houses the auditorium, is built of rubble with granite quoins and features keyed segmental brick arches, topped with a slurried scantle slate roof. The hall is arranged with a deep plan and exhibits a symmetrical, three-bay front. The ground floor is characterized by channelled rustication. The first floor is recessed, displaying a tetrastyle Doric arrangement; this includes fluted columns and a frieze with triglyphs. The windows have moulded architraves resting on sill brackets, with the central window featuring a tapered architrave. Original 12-pane sashes remain, although the bottom portion of the ground-floor sashes have lost their glazing bars. The auditorium’s rear wing is built of rubble featuring granite quoins and keyed segmental brick arches and has a slurried scantle slate roof.

The interior retains moulded ceiling cornices in the front rooms and entrance hall. First-floor rooms are also known to contain good original features.

The Royal Polytechnic Society, founded in 1833 by Anna-Maria and Caroline Fox, daughters of Robert Were Fox, established the building. As Quakers, the sisters sought to provide a platform for artisans from the Perran Foundry to exhibit their inventions. This made it the first institution in Britain to use the term "Polytechnic," signifying a focus on "many arts and techniques." Constructed in 1834/5, the building included a large hall for exhibitions, while the front rooms were originally occupied by a Public Dispensary, a Savings Bank, and a Subscription Library. The Society played a pioneering role in the invention of photography and contributed to innovations such as the safety fuse, new explosives, mine ventilation, wire ropes, rock drilling, and the “man-engine,” which replaced dangerous ladders in mine shafts. The building holds significant national historical interest, marking the world's first polytechnic and contributing significantly to inventions and innovations during the Industrial Revolution.