New Fact File to Support Staithes Museum Volunteers: Expanding Knowledge, Building Community
- the Staithes Museum Fact File! This comprehensive document, now available to all our volunteers, serves as an essential guide to the ...
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Uncover Our History
The story of this beautiful village and the remarkable people who shaped it.
Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Staithes with our carefully curated collections and the help of our dedicated volunteers. From Captain Cook’s early years to the village’s rich maritime and artistic heritage, our exhibits offer a unique journey through time. With over 4,000 objects, including rare photographs, detailed models, beautiful prints, paintings, intricate clocks, and historic tools, there’s always something new to discover. Entry is free, and we rely on the generosity of our visitors to keep the museum thriving. Visit us today and uncover the stories that shaped this remarkable coastal village.
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This website is still being developed. Please let us know if something is missing or not working properly!
Permanent Exhibits
Our Services
Coming soon!
1
Book a guided tour of the museum
For one hour, one of our experts will walk you around the museum, telling the history of the objects and the museum itself. If you require a visit outside of the museum's normal opening hours, get in touch first to check if we can open up especially for you.
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This function is not working on our website at the moment, but we will set it up soon! Pop into the museum or give us a ring and we can arrange this for you.
2
Preserve your history
Come and use our high-quality flatbed scanner and slide scanner at the museum to scan your family photos, records and postcards. We'll show you how to get the best result, and if they are relevant to the museum's collections, we will offer to preserve a copy of your photos in our museum archive.
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This function is not working on our website at the moment, but we will set it up soon! Pop into the museum or give us a ring and we can arrange this for you.
3
Explore our library
Book to come and use our books and records on the history of Staithes at the museum. Browse our collection in advance online, and then come and read them at the museum for as long as you need.
Booking to use our books is required for compliance with museum standards.
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This function is not working on our website at the moment, but we will set it up soon! Pop into the museum or give us a ring and we can arrange this for you.
Photo Galleries
The past in pictures
The Lost Railway
The railway that once connected Staithes to the wider world now lives on in memory and photographs. Once a vital artery for the fishing and mining industries along the Yorkshire coast, the Staithes railway viaduct and station have vanished, leaving behind only traces. In this gallery, you’ll see photographs of the railway’s construction, the striking viaduct that once spanned the valley, and the trains arriving at Staithes station. There’s also a rare video of one of the last trains to pass through Staithes before the railway line was closed in 1958. It’s a poignant reminder of a time when the sound of steam engines echoed through the village.
Staithes Fishermen
For centuries, the fishermen of Staithes have braved the North Sea, and our photographic collection tells their story. From images of fishermen mending their nets to those setting out in their iconic red-sailed cobles, the gallery captures two centuries of fishing heritage. View photos of the traditional Staithes ganseys, hand-knitted with intricate patterns unique to each family, and the robust cobles that carried crews through all seasons. Staithes has a long legacy of resilience, as generations have built their lives around the sea, facing its perils and reaping its rewards.
The village through the ages
Staithes is a village where history meets the changing tides. Our photo collection captures the essence of Staithes, showcasing both the familiar and the lost. From the rustic lobster boiling houses to the outdoor privies and bustling high street, you’ll see how Staithes has evolved, yet still retains its unique character. Although time has reshaped the village’s landscape, with cottages disappearing into the sea and the bridges fading from memory, our photographs offer a nostalgic glimpse into Staithes' past, where daily life revolved around the rhythms of the sea and community.
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Our collection continues to grow with donations from local residents and visitors, ensuring that Staithes’ heritage is preserved for future generations. Discover more photographs and artefacts in our expanding digital archive, made possible through the community’s ongoing support.
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