Captain Cook and Staithes Heritage Centre Review...
Explore the past with an interesting trip to the Staithes and Captain Cook Heritage Centre - picturesque location and lots of local info and history....
We almost didn't stop in at the Captain Cook and Staithes Heritage Centre on a recent day trip to Staithes - but we're really glad that we did!
This is a lovely, nostalgic little museum, literally stuffed full to the rafters with interesting photos, artefacts and memorabilia of old Staithes, and relating to Captain Cook and his voyages.
Captain Cook was apprenticed to a draper's shop in Staithes, right on the seafront, where he grew to love the sea, after experiencing its close association with the fishing village.
Staithes have adopted him as one of their own, and celebrate his many achievements in the Heritage Centre in the village.
The Captian Cook and Staithes Heritage Centre is a unique museum, with period street scenes, and historic shops - whole rooms packed full of:
Old photos and the local history of Staithes people and their lifestyles
interesting artefacts, such as original bonnets
newspaper cuttings
information sheets
Upstairs, the voyages of Captain Cook are celebrated, with:
information
paintings
model ships
turtle shells
artefacts from destinations, such as Polynesia and Tasmania
Local history and culture is also documented, with:
paintings from the Staithes school of art
fossils
amethyst and other geological rocks and gemstones
fishermens' lanterns
photos by Frank Meadow Sutcliffe
There is also a room full of original Webber engravings showing Captain Cook's voyages - available for purchase.
The whole heritage centre is completely packed full of info, artefacts and memorabilia - and is completely enchanting!
If you read everything in there, you could be in there for hours!
Also visit the gift shop on site, for lots of interesting local books, souvenirs and gifts.
Where to Find Staithes Heritage Centre
Find the Captain Cook and Staithes Heritage Centre in the centre of Staithes Old Village...
This map is interactive.
Just use the + and - buttons in the top left corner of the map to zoom in and out.
Use the arrows to move about the area.
High Street Staithes Nr Whitby TS13 5BQ Tel: 01947 841454 Opening Hours: 10-5 daily (weekends only in January) (Correct at the time of our visit - March 2010)
The Captain Cook and Staithes Heritage Centre is a really interesting place to visit when in Staithes, to while away the hours (ideal for a rainy day!) and learn more about the local history of Staithes and the life and voyages of Staithes boy Captain Cook.
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