Fascinating treasures are beginning to return to Hull’s Maritime Museum ahead of its long-awaited reopening next year.
The beloved city centre landmark shut its doors to visitors more than five years ago ahead of what was originally planned to be a three-year closure. The building has since undergone a huge refurbishment which required temporarily removal of the museum’s artefacts to a location in the south of England.
In November last year, the museum’s reopening was pushed from to Spring 2026 having previously been expected to welcome back visitors by the end of 2025.
Once it reopens, it will display 50 per cent more objects than previously. Among the treasures returning are some of the most iconic exhibits, including the 40ft North Atlantic Whale Skeleton and Erik the Polar Bear, along with many other maritime artefacts that tell the story of Hull’s rich maritime heritage.
Currently, items are being carefully unpacked, individually documented, and measured by the museum’s team of experts so that bespoke mounts can be made for each item before they can be placed in display cases, on walls, or on plinths. The Curator of Social and Maritime History, Robin Diaper, told Hull Live that there is a “complicated sequence of events” that need to take place before all items are in their final positions.
Mr Diaper explained that it is “very unusual to work on a project of this scale. It’s a once in a career opportunity”.
Changes to the building itself have made the museum more accessible. Those in wheelchairs will now be able to use the main entrance from Queen Victoria Square, and not have to use a separate entry round the back of the building.
The museum will also now have a memorial room for people to remember their friends or family members who were tragically lost at sea.
Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: “We are incredibly excited to welcome these important maritime treasures back to Hull.
“The museum’s transformation will not only offer visitors a chance to reconnect with some of Hull’s most iconic maritime artefacts, but it will also showcase the vast and varied collections we have, with 50 per cent more items on display than before. This marks an exciting new chapter for Hull’s cultural landscape, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone.
By: Andrew Spence, LDRS
