Murdoch House was the home of William Murdoch, inventor of coal gas lighting and the Murdoch Flyer

Murdoch Flyer replica in front of Murdoch House. Painting by John T Baker - with thanks

In this house over 200 years ago William Murdoch, the father of the modern gas industry, pioneered the first practical system of piped-gas lighting anywhere in the world. Now leased to the Murdoch House Management Committee by the Williams Trust, which purchased the building in 2008, the house is a centre for educational and community purposes. The Management Committee is keen to promote the continued use of the house for a variety of activities and rooms can be hired at modest rates.

Murdoch House is also the home of an innovatory research project, the Cornish Global Migration Programme.
Documenting in as much detail as possible those Cornish people who left their homeland, Murdoch House has established many links with Cornish societies and individuals through out the world. The thousands of records gathered shed light on the process of emigration and vital aspects of the making of modern Cornwall.

Also based in Murdoch House is the Redruth Story Group, founded in 1996. The Group undertakes research and mounts exhibitions on various aspects of Redruth life and society, involving local people in remembering and recording their life stories and experiences.