Hull Maritime Museum officially opened to the public on Saturday 8 August, welcoming more than 3,000 visitors through its doors once again after an extensive programme of restoration and redevelopment.
The opening weekend saw a strong turnout from residents, visitors, and stakeholders, marking a proud moment for the city as one of its much-loved cultural attractions returns to the heart of Hull city centre. Tickets were sold out for the whole weekend and welcomed many walk-up visitors too.
Housed in the historic Dock Office building, the museum now offers a refreshed and enhanced visitor experience. Carefully restored galleries and updated displays showcase Hull’s rich maritime heritage, including its fishing and whaling industries, alongside the powerful stories of the communities connected to the sea.
The museum was officially reopened by the Lord Mayor of Hull and Admiral of the Humber, Councillor Maria Coward, Leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Mike Ross, and former Dock Office worker and Hull Maritime volunteer, Ralph Marks, who joined together to cut the ribbon and welcome visitors into the building.
Funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the revitalised museum combines the preservation of nationally significant collections with improved interpretation, making it more accessible and engaging for a wide range of audiences.
Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “The reopening of Hull Maritime Museum was a proud and significant moment for our city. This much-loved building has been carefully restored to ensure that Hull’s rich maritime heritage can be shared and celebrated for generations to come.
“Thanks to council and National Lottery funding, the transformation of the museum creates a modern, engaging space that honours the stories of our past while inspiring future visitors. I’m delighted to see it open once again at the heart of Hull’s cultural offer.”
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to see that Hull Maritime Museum reopen and welcoming so many visitors from near and far to share and celebrate the city’s rich and fascinating maritime heritage. Those lucky enough to have visited already will have been captivated by the significant collections of the museum, and the striking beauty of the Grade II* listed building and its stunning architecture, that has been painstakingly preserved as part of the regeneration project.
“We’re incredibly proud that thanks to National Lottery players, the Heritage Fund is able to support place-based investment boosting pride in place and connecting communities and visitors with this vital heritage. The museum is a major contributor to the city’s ongoing, heritage-led, cultural renaissance, alongside and provides another gateway to all of the wonderful things that Hull has to offer.”
The opening forms part of Hull’s ongoing commitment to celebrating and preserving its heritage while strengthening the city’s cultural and tourism offer.
Early feedback from visitors has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising both the quality of the restoration and the renewed focus on telling Hull’s maritime story in a modern, engaging way.
Leah Borrill visited on Saturday with her four children and father, she said: “It is nice to see if finally open after it has been boarded up for so long and to be able to bring the children in and see what Hull used to be like.
“Everything is so nice and there’s lots of interactive things to do for the children to do. It has been amazing.”
Richard from Newcastle, said: “I’m originally from Hull and my Granny used to take me around the museum, with variable amounts of enthusiasm on my part. Wow, how things have changed from the 1980s!
“This time around the stunning building and entranced coupled with the friendly welcome from staff so full of pride that I got a shiver down my spine. The first area I went into with a whale skeleton and polar bear was just like the set-up when I was a kid, but now everything is so beautifully presented.
“In the past few years, I’ve been to some of the world-famous national museums in London and these could learn a lot from Hull in terms of presentation and navigation through the exhibits. Technology is thoughtfully used over the various themed areas, but it lets the objects talk for themselves. I liked too how some difficult topics like whaling were handled.
“They didn’t shy away from the issues but the exhibits made me think about why things were the way they are. I hadn’t noticed all the architectural features inside before as now the building is an exhibit in itself and somehow it all just works so well together. It was great too to spend some time looking out over the city centre with viewpoints I had never seen before.
“I’m totally blown away by the whole thing. It’s hard to believe this is all in my hometown and free to enter, though it felt right to give a donation to say thank you. I need to come back as didn’t get chance to see the new exhibits around the city centre like the Spurn lightship. I hope everyone visiting is as proud as I was of the city and who knows what inspiration and innovation this will lead to in the future.”
Nassim visited with his daughter, and he said: “My daughter woke up at 6am so eager to visit and see the whale and all the stories. I think the museum is amazing and it’s really good we have this story and we take care of history. I hope it can generate more tourism and income for the city and make it a better place to live and educate our children.”
Hull Maritime Museum is now open to the public, welcoming visitors to rediscover the city’s seafaring past and its lasting impact on Hull today.