Hull Maritime Museum is getting ready for its big reopening this Saturday after six years of being closed to the public.
The museum, which has undergone a £20m renovation programme, tells the story of the city’s maritime heritage as a hub for trade, migration, fishing and whaling across Britain and beyond.
Opening in the restored former Dock Offices in the city centre, revamped features include 50% more objects on display and a hidden treasures gallery.
Nearly 10,000 free tickets to visit the museum have already been snapped up, said Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council.
Robin Diaper, curator of social and maritime history at the museum, said: “Unsurprisingly, people have been waiting a long time to get in to this much-loved building and museum.”
Popular stuffed polar bear Erik has returned to the museum after previously being on display there for more than 40 years.
It will be able to be seen from all angles in the Age of Sail gallery.
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There is also a whale skeleton which is 40ft (12m) long, “conserved and repositioned to look like it’s swimming”, said Diaper.
1:23Take a look inside the restored Hull Maritime Museum
Both adults and children will be able to go through a tunnel and resurface in a dome inside the whale’s ribcage.
On the second floor, which has never opened to the public previously, is a hidden treasures gallery.
A new community exhibition space displays objects, images and filmed content from organisations preserving stories of the sea.
Entry is free but visitors are advised to book during busy periods.
Ross said: “This is the city’s premier museum. It tells Hull’s maritime history. That is incredibly important in a city built on water.”
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The restoration was funded by the city council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Helen Featherstone, a director at the Heritage Fund, said visitors would be able to “take in the stunning architecture” of the listed building as well as enjoying the “significant collections of the museum”.
Credit: BBC
