The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum
The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum forms part of Middlesbrough Museums & Galleries Service along with its sister venue - the Dorman Museum, situated in Linthorpe Road close to Albert Park.
The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum opened on the 28th October 1978 – the 250th anniversary of Cook’s birth. It is housed in a purpose-built building close to the granite urn marking the site of Cook’s birthplace cottage in Stewart Park, Marton, Middlesbrough. The museum tells the story of one of the world’s greatest navigators and mariners through themed display galleries, temporary exhibitions, associated activities and events and a lively education programme. There is full disabled access throughout and additional facilities such as the Discovery Room (education & activities), the Endeavour Room (meetings & events), the Resolution Resources Room (archive & research), gift/book shop, and a café.
Since opening it has undergone a series of refurbishments and has won a number of major awards for its displays and services to visitors. Re-developments have been supported by grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund, One NorthEast, English Partnerships, Northern Electric, British Steel, Teesside TEC and North East Museums, Libraries & Archives Council.
COLLECTIONS
The collections at the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum are part of the collections held by Middlesbrough Museums and Galleries Service. The reserve collections are mainly stored at the Dorman Museum when not on display.
Small items and the main archive and library collections are housed in the Museum’s Resolution Resources Room – probably the best collection of Cook-related books, articles, prints and maps outside the national collections.
Cook, his Voyages and Contemporaries
A small collection of items relating to James Cook and his family, including personal possessions, household items and memorabilia from his voyages.
Published accounts and images of the voyages from the 18th century.
Information and material relating to the science and art of the voyages, including examples of Joseph Banks’s “Florilegium” and the artwork of William Hodges and John Webber.
There is a small collection of loan material from the National Maritime Museum.
Commemorating Cook
A wide range of commemorative items and souvenirs, including ceramics, coins, medals and badges, which have been produced to celebrate the achievements of Cook since news of his death reached Britain in 1780 up to the present day.
Important sections include the archive of the Birthplace Museum; material produced by the communities of “Captain Cook Country” and the Captain Cook Tourism Association; the annual Captain Cook Celebrations; the replica HM Bark Endeavour; as well as regional, national and international material.
Exploration and Life at Sea in the 18th century
A collection of original and replica nautical artefacts, models and related information illustrating life at sea, ships, sailors and exploration at the time of Cook. Includes a small section on Nelson’s navy.
There is a small collection of loan material from the National Maritime Museum.
Ethnography Collections
The Museum Service’s collection includes around 1,500 artefacts from different world cultures, including Australia, New Zealand and Oceania with supporting information and material relating to Canada/North America, Arctic/Antarctic, East Asia and South Africa.
The most notable collection is of Aboriginal artefacts. Some were collected by G.L. Dorman and others by Dr. Weatherill from East Kimberley. However, the majority of items were given by the Aboriginal Arts Board of Australia. They had previously formed part of their reserve collection and when they were presented to the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum in 1980 they formed the largest collection of their kind outside Australia.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
Admission to the Museum is FREE
OPENING TIMES
March – October
Tues-Sun 10am-5.30pm
November – February
Tues-Sun 9am-4pm
(last admission to main displays 45 minutes before closing)
Closed:
Mondays,
23-26 & 28, 29-31 December, 1 January
and first full week of January for annual maintenance.
Address:
Captain Cook Birthplace Museum
Stewart Park
Marton
Middlesbrough
TS7 8AT