Women of the Gorsedh Exhibition

March 4, 2026

Throughout March (2-31), the Library, Archives & Special Collections at Penryn campus are hosting Women of the Gorsedh, an exhibition that coincides with St Piran’s Day (5 Mar), International Women’s Day (8 Mar), and Women’s History Month.

Women of the Gorsedh celebrates the lives, contributions, and lasting legacies of the women connected with Gorsedh Kernow, as represented within our Library, Archives & Special Collections. Drawing on material from the Gorsedh Kernow Bardic Collection, the Falmouth Art, Theatre & Performance Collections, and the Institute of Cornish Studies, the exhibition brings together stories of both well known and lesser documented women whose creativity and commitment have shaped Cornwall’s cultural landscape.

While some figures are richly represented in our collections, many others remain partially hidden within wider historical narratives. This exhibition seeks to foreground these voices, exploring their bardic roles, creative practices, community involvement, and broader cultural impact. Through their stories, we celebrate the diverse ways women have helped to sustain, enrich, and carry forward Cornish heritage.

The exhibition is on display at Penryn campus Library, beside the Student Helpdesk, and in the display window on the ground floor of the Exchange building, outside Archives and Special Collections.

For more information about the exhibition contact archives@fxplus.ac.uk.