9th July 2026
Free tickets for Hull Maritime Museum's reopening on Saturday 8 August will be available to book from Monday 13 July, 10am.
An engraved whale tooth going on display for the first time and a 15-foot American flag will tell the extraordinary 130-year story of Hull's great whaling ship when Hull Maritime Museum reopens this summer.
Built in Philadelphia in 1764, the Truelove survived capture during the American War of Independence before being converted into a Hull whaler. She completed more than 70 Arctic voyages, escaped one of the worst ice disasters in whaling history and returned to the city where she was built 109 years later, where local people presented her captain with a commemorative flag. She remained in service long after the age of sail had given way to steam-powered whaling.
Now, for the first time, two of the most important surviving objects connected with the ship will be displayed together: a rare scrimshaw sperm whale tooth engraved with an image of the Truelove, and the 15-foot flag presented to Captain Thomas Weatherill by the people of Philadelphia in 1873.
Following painstaking conservation, the flag will be displayed in a bespoke display case in the new atrium space, while the engraved whale tooth will go on show in the museum's Age of Sail gallery.
The Truelove objects are among hundreds of treasures covering many more stories within Hull’s maritime heritage going on public display when Hull Maritime Museum reopens on Saturday 8 August following a £20.4m transformation that reimagines the museum for the twenty-first century and celebrates over 800 years of Hull’s maritime heritage.
Due to expected high levels of interest, visitors are encouraged to book in advance to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience at the newly reimagined museum. Booking free tickets will help to reduce queueing and secure your entry time, while allowing us to maximise visitor numbers and allow everyone to explore the museum at their own pace.
Located in the former Town Dock Offices in Queen Victoria Square, Hull Maritime Museum is a Grade II* listed landmark. First opened in 1871, the building stands as a testament to Hull's historic importance as one of Britain's busiest ports, when ships once sailed directly past its doors.
The transformed museum features 25 galleries and exhibition spaces, displaying more objects than ever before. Alongside familiar favourites, visitors will discover newly revealed stories, immersive experiences and important recent acquisitions that shine a fresh light on Hull's relationship with the sea.
A new community exhibition will celebrate the contribution local people have made to the Hull Maritime Project over the past six years. The museum also includes a new environmentally controlled temporary exhibition gallery, designed to national museum standards, enabling Hull to host major loans and touring exhibitions for the first time.
Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, said: "The reopening of Hull Maritime Museum marks a major milestone for the city. This transformation ensures that our maritime heritage can be explored and enjoyed in new and engaging ways, and we look forward to welcoming visitors back through the doors of this iconic building."
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "Boasting stunning architecture and an amazing collection of maritime heritage treasures, the reopening of Hull Maritime Museum is definitely a date to mark in your calendars. It's fantastic news that people from the city and further afield can now get their hands on tickets to visit the revamped attraction. We're incredibly proud to have supported its regeneration thanks to money raised by National Lottery players."
The redevelopment has been funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the wider Hull Maritime project, preserving and celebrating the city's seafaring heritage.
Hull Maritime Museum will be open:
- Monday to Saturday: 10am –4.30pm
- Sunday: 11am–4pm
Admission is free.
Visitors are encouraged to plan their visit and book tickets from Monday 13 July, 10am at hullmaritimemuseum.co.uk. While walk-up visitors will be welcome, pre-booking is strongly recommended to avoid waiting times.
