Book free tickets for Hull Maritime Museum’s reopening – all you need to know

Need to know

Hull Maritime Museum reopens on Saturday, August 8

Hull Maritime Museum is reopening after it closed its doors in January 2020 for a major renovation programme

1. It is due to open its doors on Saturday, August 8. Free tickets are available to book from Monday, July 13, from 10am – this is to help reduce queueing as high levels of interest are expected.
2. Hundreds of treasures covering many stories within Hull’s maritime heritage will be going on public display when the museum reopens following the £20.4m transformation. The scheme reimagines the museum for the 21st century and celebrates over 800 years of Hull’s maritime heritage.
3. Among the objects to be viewed will be a rare scrimshaw sperm whale tooth, going on display for the first time, and a 15ft American flag telling the extraordinary 130-year story of Hull’s great whaling ship, the Truelove. Built in Philadelphia in 1764, the Truelove survived capture during the American War of Independence before being converted into a Hull whaler.
4. 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. 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.
5. The transformed museum features 25 galleries and exhibition spaces, displaying more objects than ever before.
6. 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. We look forward to welcoming visitors back through the doors of this iconic building.”
7. The redevelopment has been funded by the council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the wider Hull Maritime project, preserving and celebrating the city’s seafaring heritage. The museum is a Grade II* listed landmark that first opened in 1871, in the former Town Dock Offices in Queen Victoria Square.
8. 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.”
9. 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 the museum to maximise visitor numbers and allow everyone to explore the attraction at their own pace. You can plan your visit and book tickets from 10am on Monday, July, 13 at hullmaritimemuseum.co.uk.
10. While walk-up visitors will be welcome, pre-booking is strongly recommended to avoid waiting times. Hull Maritime Museum will be open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm and Sunday, 11am to 4pm. Admission is free.
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