7th July 2025
Five historically important whale skeletons and other marine specimens have returned to Hull Maritime Museum following an extensive and meticulous programme of cleaning and conservation.
These large specimens are among the first major items to be reinstalled as part of the museum’s multi-million-pound transformation. Led by renowned natural history conservator Nigel Larkin, the project has included the careful dismantling, cleaning, conservation and remounting of the specimens.
Several specimens will be dramatically suspended in the museum’s revitalized galleries, they include a minke whale, a killer whale, lesser rorqual, false killer whale, a bottle-nosed whale and the huge four-metre-long jawbones of a sperm whale. The 15-metre-long juvenile North Atlantic right whale is due to return early next year.
Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “It is great to see the museum entering this stage of the transformation. The suspension of these fragile skeletons is a huge undertaking and will offer visitors a unique view of these conserved artefacts. This is an exciting chapter in the project as the museum comes back to life.”
Nigel Larkin, a specialist in conservation and curation of skeleton materials, said: “It is very satisfying to see these beautiful skeletons return to their home and be on display again for the public to enjoy.
“It has been a huge project for me to dismantle each skeleton, carefully clean and assess every bone and then remount them with modern techniques and materials so that they can be enjoyed by visitors for many more decades to come.
“It has been a privilege to spend so much time with these beautiful animals.”
In the coming months Marcon, who are leaders in their field, will create, test and install the audio visual and IT hardware. The general fit-out of the building will include installing display cases, joinery items, plinths, stands. Electrical services including projectors, speakers, screens, exhibition lighting will also be fitted. The team at Marcon will create mechanical interactives, making of models and props, and work alongside our museum staff on the all-important final installation of the museum collections.
The museum is expected to reopen in 2026 once the hundreds of artefacts have returned, and the many stories can take centre stage once again.
