‘One of the most picturesque groups of town buildings in Cornwall’.
Pevsner Architectural Guide to Cornwall
Merchant House sits on the edge of the town square in Launceston, Cornwall.
The building is largely of mid 16th century, sitting on what we believe to be the lower ground floor of an earlier C13 house. It is of national importance being Grade II* listed.
Over the years she has been occupied by Town Mayors, surgeons and Journey men. From her windows she has witnessed markets, hangings, and National Celebrations. From within she has hosted political debate, seen social change and experienced decay and rot.
After years of neglect and decline Merchant House was sold as a sad ground floor retail investment with no understanding of what was within.
A veritable time capsule
The upper floors had hardly been touched for over 120 years. Little had been thrown away and much reused. She is a veritable time capsule which has been slowly revealing her treasures. We have discovered medieval wall panelling, C16 doorways and decorative plaster, C17 marriage arms, C18 panelled doors, C19 decorations and multiple layers of wallpaper culminating in C20 death watch beetle and dry rot!
This has opened a potential Pandora’s box for research into social change, mercantile trade, national and local politics. There are layers of decorative design, fashion and taste to asses and understand.
