A new exhibition on the life of Charles Rashleigh begins at Wheal Martyn Clay Works on Friday and will run until Christmas.  

This year marks the bicentenary of the death of the man who transformed Charlestown and made a hugely important contribution to the china clay industry. And yet Rashleigh died penniless and mired in scandal.  

One of Cornwall’s most successful entrepreneurs, Rashleigh bought the small fishing village of Porthmuer, transformed it into one of the busiest ports on the south coast and named it after himself.  

Working in collaboration with Charlestown History Group, 

Wheal Martyn hosts a new and exciting exhibition to mark his remarkable life and celebrate his legacy and the town he created. 

Working alongside civil engineer John Smeaton, Rashleigh designed a new harbour and dock to initially ship copper ore. Charlestown quickly grew to become one of the largest china clay ports in Cornwall, trading in “white gold” until the last shipment left the port in 1999.  

Today, Charlestown is more popular with tourists and film production companies.  

Sian Powell, exhibition and engagement officer, said: “This exhibition is our way of celebrating an often-overlooked historic figure who had a major impact on the Duchy, helping to empower the burgeoning clay industry, and shouldn’t be forgotten.”  

The exhibition will be on display until December 23. Entry is included in the general admission fee. For further information, call 01726 850362 or visit www.wheal-martyn.com