Captain Cook Birthplace Museum - Tees Valley Museums (original) (raw)

The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum opened on the 28th October 1978 – the 250th anniversary of Cook’s birth. The purpose-built museum sits close to the granite urn which marks the site of Cook’s birthplace cottage in the beautiful landscaped grounds of Stewart Park, Marton, on the outskirts of Middlesbrough. Outside a traditionally carved Nootka totem pole from Canada guards the entrance.

The museum tells the story of one of the world’s greatest navigators and mariners, Captain James Cook. Brining to life his story through 6 themed permanent displays with original artefacts.

The museum’s collection contains a fascinating array of objects relating to Cook’s voyages and the people and cultures he encountered along the way. There is also a changing temporary exhibition programme, lots of associated activities and events as well as a lively education programme. Making your trip to the museum an exciting journey of discovery.

An oval, colour portrait of Captain James Cook, surrounded by a brown frame. He is wearing a blue coat with gold trim and buttons. Underneath this is a white waistcoat with gold buttons with a high neck white shirt and cravatte under this. He is on an angle with his right shoulder closer to the viewer.

Captain James Cook by John Webber, 1779
© National Portrait Gallery, London

The museums permanent displays give a unique insight into James Cook’s early life in Marton, Great Ayton and Staithes, through to his early seafaring career at Whitby and joining the Royal Navy in 1755 – where within two years he passed his master’s examination to qualify for the navigation and handling of a Royal ship. They go on to cover his three major voyages of discovery aboard The Endeavour and The Resolution, where Cook and his crew encountered many new lands and their peoples.

On your visit to the museum, discover the creaking of the timbers below deck and the perils of the ocean. Launch yourself back into Cook’s time through the Endeavour Shuttle. Find out how to provision Cook’s ship for 100 men for 3 years. How many barrels of rum do you need ? What is portable soup? And what were Cook’s secret instructions?

Ambition leads me not only farther than any man has been before me, but as far as I think it possible for man to go.

Captain James Cook

Do just once what others say you can't do, and you will never pay attention to their limitations again.

Captain James Cook

A lady and toddler look clsely at a display in Captain Museum

The Ethnography of the Voyages display

Maori performance outside the museum, 2017

People dressed as pirates having a pretend sword fight outside the captain cook birthplace museum

Pirate Day at Captain Cook Birthplace Museum

Person in a colourful outfit smiles at the camera.

Pirate Day at Captain Cook Birthplace Museum

A group of local school children meeting Rugby players from the Cook Islands. Two children at the front are holding a framed rugby shirt.

Local school children had a unique opportunity to meet with rugby team from the Cook Islands.

Access

We welcome all visitors to Tees Valley Museums and aim to do everything we can to make access easy for everybody. Click here for more access information.

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