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The Maritime Museum will reopen on Saturday 8 August.

Set sail through 800 years of maritime history - explore the history of merchant shipping, fishing and whaling in the region and beyond

Reimagined 
Retold 
Reopened 

Opened in 1871 as Hull’s Dock Offices, this iconic building has seen many ships sail past its windows. 

Now, Hull Maritime Museum has been transformed and will display 50% more objects from the collection, with around 1,300 objects accessible across the galleries and open storage spaces, many on public display for the first time.

Through immersive galleries, major new displays and internationally significant collections, the museum tells the story of Hull’s 800-year relationship with the sea, a maritime history that helped shape trade, migration, fishing and whaling across Britain and beyond. Today, Hull and the Humber remain the UK’s busiest port complex.

From ship models to maritime art to a 40-foot whale skeleton, there is something for everyone.

Among the highlights are rare examples of scrimshaw, intricate folk art created by whalers from whale bone and teeth, from what is believed to be the largest scrimshaw collection outside the United States. The collection spans more than two centuries of whaling history, from early 19th century sperm whale teeth engraved aboard ships at sea to 20th century whale bone folk art. A dedicated scrimshaw gallery will open to the public for the first time as part of the redevelopment.

Treasures on display include:

  • a newly acquired rare scrimshaw tooth linked to Hull whaling ship Truelove, which made 72 Arctic voyages over more than a century
  • decorated sperm whale tooth of the Phoenix of London hunting a sperm whale by renowned American scrimshaw artist Edward Burdett
  • one of a famous series of engraved whale teeth by Frederick Myrick depicting the Nantucket whaleship Susan off the coast of Japan
  • hand-painted whale earbones transformed into surreal human faces
  • a dramatic whale jawbone plaque depicting an unusual bowhead whale hunt with icebergs in the background and mermaids in the decorated border

Opening times
The museum will be open, Monday – Saturday, 10am – 4.30pm, Sunday, 11am – 4pm and will be free to visit. Information on tickets will be available soon.