An application for £9.8 million has been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund in a bid to create a heritage centre for the people of Cornwall.
Cornwall Council has applied for match-funding for a scheme to create a proposed facility called Kresen Kernow to house Cornwall's treasure trove of historic manuscripts, books, photographs, maps and recordings.
If the money is secured, the new centre would be built on the former brewery site in Redruth.
The aim is to improve access to the many treasures that reflect Cornwall's long, rich and vibrant heritage and its international impact.
Trustees from the fund will visit the site and decide by April if it will be considered for the next stage. The second stage of the process involves an 18-month development period to consult researchers, staff, and potential visitors.
Cabinet member for culture Joan Symons said: "This project is a priority in the council's culture white paper and will transform access to the extensive historic resources currently held across a number of sites."
The centre would fulfil the council's obligations to care for its archives and provide public access to information.
It is hoped the centre could generate about £1.7m annually for Redruth.
