The Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society was founded in 1833 by Anna Maria Fox (pictured left) and Caroline Fox (May 24^th), the daughters of Robert Were Fox the Younger (July 25^th) of Falmouth.

The Fox family were shipping agents, foundry owners and famous Quakers.

The stated purpose of the society was ‘To promote the useful and fine arts, to encourage industry, and to elicit the ingenuity of a community distinguished for its mechanical skill’.
The first President was Sir Charles Lemon, the son of William Lemon (25^th March) and the council comprised as Chairman, Charles Fox (December 22^nd), together with seven Vice-Presidents, all prominent Cornish businessmen who appreciated the benefits to their business of highly trained staff.

Two years after the Polytechnic’s establishment it was determined that a dedicated hall should be constructed to provide additional teaching space and a large exhibition area for an annual exhibition of mechanical inventions.