Captain Cook Museum Whitby
Captain Cook Museum Whitby, Reviewed... Our review of the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby... ...an interesting trip into history and to discover more about Whitby's hero Captain James Cook. We review our visit... We paid a visit to the very interesting Captain Cook Museum in Whitby. This is the original house of Captain John Walker, where the young James Cook was apprenticed, and lived from 1746-1749. As soon as we entered, we were greeted by friendly staff - we were told when we filled out a Gift Aid form, we then got given back a portion of the form that would give us free admission for a whole year - a great deal!
The first room you come to in the Captain Cook Museum in Whitby is the Navigation Room - full of maps of the time. Most of the Ground Floor of the Captain Cook Museum in Whitby is furnished as a typical Whitby shipowner's house - using the inventory made by John Walker himself after the death of his mother. The old rooms are set out in gentle, heritage colours, and it was nice to get a feel for the house as it would have been in the time of the young Captain James Cook. The old kitchen floor has recently been uncovered - and is displayed, along with various kitchen implements of the time. In the upper floors - there are a further 2 floors, plus an attic level - there are many displays and information about Captain Cook's voyages and times...
There are very many letters to read, and some are particularly interesting... ...for example, one letter sends a chameleon which was despatched 'in good health' (so it wasn't the sender's fault if it turned up otherwise!!)... ...while also, apparently, despatching the body of a parakeet belonging to one of the ladies of the house, which had died (the parakeet, not the lady)! There is also one letter describing a 'great party', at which was displayed the head of a 'native', which had partly been eaten by 'his own kind'!!! In the attic is a temporary exhibition. The attic is where the young James Cook would have stayed with the other apprentices. The exhibition for 2010 is 'Northward Ho!' - A Voyage Towards the North Pole 1773. This exhibition celebrates the voyage that Yorkshireman Captain Phipps (later Lord Mulgrave) lead towards the North Pole. The exhibition was beaten back by ice, but much information was garnered, and the exhibition draws on this, plus some interesting artefacts, incliding an original bobble hat and 'warm clothing'. In the final room, the Antarctic Voyage of Captain Cook is remembered - of particular interest is a rather large stuffed penguin! The visit to the Captain Cook Museum in Whitby was very interesting and informative, and there was lots to read and look at.
There weren't so many actual artefacts, but loads of:
And a fascinating historical look at Captain Cook's former home, with an insight into what life would have been like for the young James Cook. The visit took us just over an hour - but it could take you much longer if you read all of the exhibits thoroughly. Photography is not permitted within the Museum. There is a small museum shop Toilets are available. The Captain Cook Museum Whitby on the MapFind the Captain Cook Museum on the east side of town, not far from the Swing Bridge, at the end of Grape Lane. You can't miss it - it's in a striking red painted house.
This map is interactive.
Contact: Visit the official Museum Website for more information... Open:
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All above information correct at the date of our visit - July 2010. Have you been to the Captain Cook Museum in Whitby? What did you think? Tell us, here... Find out more about Captain Cook at the Captain Cook and Staithes Heritage Centre in the nearby village of Staithes You might also enjoy a visit to Whitby Museum, Art Gallery and Pannett Park Read more about the History of Whitby More about British history in Yorkshire, and more historical attractions to visit More ideas for things to do, and days out in the UK More Whitby Tourist Information Have you got your free subscription to 'Yorkshire Coast Lines' yet? Receive your free, monthly, e-mail newsletter, full of ideas for days out and excursions along the Yorkshire coast, and upcoming local events... straight to your inbox. Return from this Captain Cook Museum Whitby page to the Home Page Top of the Page Search my site for a word or phrase:  Custom Search Yorkshire East Coast Unofficial Guide Bringing you ideas and information for your British holidays, short breaks and days out in the UK... ...from Whitby to Scarborough, Filey, Bridlington, Hornsea, Withernsea, North York Moors and beyond… Discover and Enjoy Your Coastline… 
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