A unique collection of historical manuscripts charting 500 years of Cornish history are to remain in the county after a grant of more than £300,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Including the only two early works on the Cornish language in Cornwall, the archive of the Enys family of Penryn contains hundreds of documents, letters, photographs, volumes and maps dating from the 16th to the 20th century.

Cornwall Council has been awarded £327,980 so that the documents can stay at the Cornwall Record Office and be shared with the public.

"I am delighted that this important collection, which covers more than 500 years of Cornish history, has been saved for future generations to learn from and enjoy," Joan Symons, Cornwall Council cabinet member for culture and museums, said.

"The wonderful news that the Heritage Lottery Fund has approved the grant means that the Cornwall Record Office can organise a whole raft of community-based activities to promote the collection.

"Local museums have already been involved in developing projects and we will work with volunteers, schools and groups to research and celebrate the stories in the collection."

The Enys family were prominent landowners, industrialists and collectors, and the archive includes a wealth of information on the people living and working on the family's extensive land holdings across Cornwall.

One of the oldest manuscripts in the collection is a deed for tenements in Enys, St Gluvias, in 1363. The archive also includes "Memorandums relating to the Cornish Tongue, by William Borlase", 1748-1753.

Deborah Tritton, Cornwall Council's historic collections manager, said: "We are looking forward to getting out there and involving local communities initially in the Penryn and St Agnes areas."

Simon Timms, chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund South West committee, said the collection was a "treasure-trove of information".

A full programme of events featuring the documents will be announced in October.