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Captain Cook Memorial Museum Whitby

The popular Magpie Cafe, just one of Whitby's many tearooms, cafes and inns

View across Whitby Harbour to St Mary's Church & Whitby Abbey

Captain James Cook Museum Whitby Museum North Yorkshire England UK

Internationally acclaimed in his day, Captain James Cook was the first to cross the Antarctic Circle and circumnavigate and chart New Zealand and the east coast of Austrailia. The founding of both these nations can be traced to Cook. Whitby's links with James Cook are an integral part of his life and successes. Cook apprenticed here in Whitby under the guidance of Quaker shipowner John Walker and the award winning Captain Cook Memorial Museum is housed within what was John Walker's house where Cook would have stayed. Cook was born not far from Whitby in Marton-in-Cleveland in 1728 and there are various sites in this North Yorkshire area around Whitby linked to this great circumnavigator (see the Cook Country Tour webguide right for details). Through themed exhibit rooms, numerous documents and artefacts pertaining to Cook, Gainsborough paintings and maps and models the Cook Museum in Whitby really is the definitive history of the life and work of Captain James Cook.

More exhibits on Cook can be viewed at the superb Whitby Museum situated in Pannett Park west of Whitby Station. Other exhibits here include an extensive collection of antique Whitby jet, both jewellery and models particularly from the Victorian period. Also of much interest is the display of archaeological artefacts found at Whitby Abbey and the huge collection of photographs of Whitby dating from 1860.

Captain Cook Memorial Museum Whitby

For the definitive history of Captain James Cook, the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby is where to head. The museum's location has close links with Cook as it was the house of John Walker, to whom Cook came as apprentice in 1746. The famous Cook's Attic, where Cook and around 16 other apprentices lodged is within the museum and is much as it would have been in Cook's day.

Cook learnt his trade here in Whitby under the guidance of Quaker shipowneer and close lifelong friend John Walker. Cook was born nearby in Marton-in-Cleveland in 1728 and by 1747 he was on his first ship the Freelove with a coal cargo bound for London. From modest beginnings Cook's rise to fame as navigator and epic explorer on three renowned voyages is laid bare via detailed exhibitions within the Cook Museum here at Whitby. Cook was internationally acclaimed in his day and was the first to cross the Antarctic Circle as well as circumnavigating and charting New Zealand and charting the east coast of Austrailia. Both the founding of Austrailia and New Zealand can be traced to James Cook.

A White Rose Award winner, the museum has many treasures including letters written by Cook, documents and accounts such as Cook's Second Voyage towards the South Pole in 1777 given to Walker and numerous paintings by Thomas Gainsborough. Themed Rooms include the Orientation Room displaying maps of the known world before Cook's voyages and the Voyages Room which track's Cook's three main epic voyages. The museum's focus is the life and work of Cook, but in the Whitby Room the town's history, via 18th century paintings, is given due attention as well as exhibits documenting Cook's time in Whitby. Special exhibitions change regularly and events run throughout the year usually co-inciding with major events in Whitby such as the Regatta and Folk Weeks in August. Check the Cook Museum's webguide below for events listings.

Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Grape Lane, Whitby, YO22 4BA. Tel. 01947 601900.
www.cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk

The Whitby Museum & Pannett Park

The Whitby Museum is home to a superb choice of exhibits. Collections here include finds from Whitby Abbey, displays on Captain Cook and his travels, Whitby Jet and Jet Jewellery, shipping and fishing heritage, weapons and militaria plus a selection of fascinating objects pertaining to social history including a grusome looking clog and ankle chain worn by school truants of old. For full exhibit details see the Whitby Museum's comprehensive website linked right.

Whitby Museum, Pannett Park, Whitby, North Yorks YO21 1RE. Tel. 01947 602908.

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Captain James Cook Museum Whitby Museum North Yorkshire England UK

Captain Cook Memorial Museum Whitby

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