One of four such institutions around the county it was intended to be a ‘network of improvement for business and technical men’, the others being the Cornwall Agricultural Society (1792, Bodmin), Royal Geological Society of Cornwall (February 11^th) and The Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society (April 22^nd). The same period saw the founding of The Royal Cornwall Gazette (July 2^nd) and the West Briton (1810).

The development of learned societies and the new newspapers transformed the intellectual life of early 18^th century Cornwall and The Royal Institution of Cornwall promoted all branches of natural science, literature and provided a library accessible by all members. 

Over the years, it has acquired a substantial art collection and an internationally significant minerals collection, all now on display at the Royal Cornwall Museum.