Maritime treasures return to museum as £12m refurb nears completion

CAREFULLY DOES IT: Documentation assistant Jason Lok and museum technician Andy Barwick move a model ship to its new home. Picture credit Hull City Council / Neil Holmes

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

Historic artefacts, many of which have never been on public display before, are being returned to Hull Maritime Museum as its refurbishment nears completion.

More than 45,000 maritime objects from the museum’s reserve collection will be housed in a bespoke new storage facility, allowing a new floor to be opened to visitors when the £12m refurbishment of the landmark building is complete.

This will allow the museum to display 50 per cent more artefacts than before, while also uncovering more of its breathtaking Victorian architecture.

The maritime treasures are being documented and stored to enable better collections care, research, and conservation.

Robin Diaper, curator of maritime and social history at Hull Culture and Leisure, said: “Having this dedicated space enables us to open the second floor of the museum to the public, an amazing space not previously seen by visitors.

“The Maritime Museum’s collections are designated as being of national significance and this new facility will enable us to hold them in care for future generations.”

Simpson of York are expected to complete the refurbishment by the summer. The museum is scheduled to reopen next year.