NEWS | Hull Maritime Museum ready for next stage of transformation

In the past three year’s Simpsons of York have been working with Hull City Council and architects, Purcell, to sensitively restore all the architectural features inside and outside of the building. This has been made possible with funding from Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Now, the building is ready for the fit out and installation of new displays that will bring the city’s unique collections to life with cutting edge technology including new immersive projections, films and a planetarium.

Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “The transformation and restoration of Hull Maritime Museum is an important and exciting milestone.

“We are eager to begin the next stage of the programme with the installation of the new displays, technology and projections and signage that will showcase the city’s rich maritime heritage. This will be a museum for the city and its residents to be proud of.”

Once the displays are in place, hundreds of maritime treasures will return after being in storage and take pride of place in the museum once again. They will be unpacked and displayed in purpose-built cabinets. This phase of work will take approximately a year to complete.

The 40ft North Atlantic Right Whale skeleton will return in spring 2025 following extensive conservation and will be remounted in the new look gallery. The popular and much-loved Erik, the polar bear will also return.

The museum is expected to reopen in spring 2026.

Hull Maritime is funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players. It encompasses the redevelopment of five historic sites in Hull city centre: the transformation of the Grade II* Hull Maritime Museum and the Dock Office Chambers, the creation of a new visitor attraction at the North End Shipyard and the restoration of two historic vessels, the Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship.

Take a look at more images of the museum here.