12th August 2025
The Hull Maritime Foundation has been awarded a further grant of £147,899 from The Headley Trust, marking another significant milestone in the ongoing Hull Maritime project.
This generous funding will support Bringing the Collections Home, a major logistical and curatorial initiative to safely return, document, and install over 49,000 maritime objects into the refurbished Hull Maritime Museum and Dock Office Chambers. The project ensures that each object is condition - checked, tracked, and updated in the collections database in line with national accreditation standards.
The Headley Trust has been a long-standing supporter of the Hull Maritime project, having previously funded the restoration of two of the city’s most iconic vessels - the Spurn Lightship and the Arctic Corsair.
This latest grant will enable the appointment of two key roles:
- A Curatorial Project Manager who will oversee all aspects of the collections’ installation and ensure the process is carried out to the highest professional standards.
- A Conservation and Engagement Officer who will supervise the safe installation of 1,182 display objects, lead a team of technicians and freelance conservators, and engage volunteers in the conservation process.
David Atkinson, Chair of the Hull Maritime Foundation, said: “We are delighted to have won further support from The Headley Trust, which has been vital at this point of the project’s development. Hull Maritime Foundation has now raised more than £1.4m towards the project as matched funding, and we are aiming to reach our target of another £200,000 by the end of the year.”
The Hull Maritime project is one of the most ambitious heritage projects in the UK, celebrating Hull’s rich maritime history through the transformation of key sites, including the Hull Maritime Museum, North End Shipyard, and two historic vessels. The project is supported by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
