The Hull Maritime project is looking for a specialist company to safely pack, transport, store and then return tens of thousands of fragile and significant maritime objects ahead of a £12m refurbishment of the Hull Maritime Museum.
The museum’s rich collection ranging from small fragile objects, an internationally significant scrimshaw collection, to large industrial objects will require specialist removal and packing.
As part of the 50,000 strong collection, the reserve collection will return to Dock Office Chambers, once the work to the new storage centre opposite the museum is complete. The display collection will be redisplayed within the museum and made more accessible as part of the new and exciting plans.
Councillor Daren Hale, Portfolio Holder for Portfolio Holder for Economic Investment, Regeneration, Planning, Land and Property, said: “This specialist work to safely pack, transport, store and return of the majority of Hull Maritime Museum’s historic collection is a considerable task for the right company.
“The city’s maritime artefacts and objects have occupied the domed building since the museum opened in 1975 and will need some careful removal, packing and storage.
“And thanks to the museum team who have been working hard to sort, conserve where necessary, photograph, label and document each artefact and will soon be ready to be moved into storage to enable the major building improvements to get underway.
The refurbished building will greatly improve conditions for the collections, the staff and visitors, allowing displays to be discovered in new and imaginative ways, as well as creating improved and increased access for everyone.
It is expected the contract start date will get underway in spring 2021.
The Hull Maritime project, funded by Hull City Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, encompasses the redevelopment of five historic sites in Hull city centre: the transformation of the Grade II* Hull Maritime Museum and the Dock Office Chambers, the creation of a new visitor attraction at the North End Shipyard and the restoration two historic vessels, the Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship.
