Museum
The Yorkshire Waterways Museum has just been announced the 2007 winner of the prestgious Yorkshire Tourist Board White Rose Award as The Best Visitor attraction of the year (under 50,000 visitors) For more details please view the news page on this website.
The Yorkshire Waterways Museum collection opened at the Sobriety Project in 1987 and was based on the story of the Aire and Calder Navigation and the creation of the Port of Goole.
This now includes extensive Social History exhibits demonstrating the life of barge families, the import and export trade, and the transportation of coal through the Port of Goole. The newer 2001 gallery demonstrates sail and keel and shipbuilding techniques with interactive displays, films and a photographic archive.There are accompanying interpretations and resources for schools on request.The Yorkshire Waterways Museum plans to improve the heritage value of the existing collection by conserving and interpreting large objects which have not yet been part of the current public displays. An application to Heritage Lottery Fund is being developed to raise money for the improvements. As a part of the application planning process, the public are being asked to tell us what they would like to see at the Yorkshire Waterways Museum and come forward with proposals and ideas. This will ensure that the heritage plan meets the needs of the community and provides the audience with a collection and facility that they really want. Please let us have your comments and feedback.
New exhibits and interpretations are constantly installed and updated with a spectacular new piece returning to Goole at the end of June 2008. More news to follow!
The Museum Officer be contaced for specific information and appointments. Regular Family History Days are scheduled for 2008 following the success of trial days.
The old gallery includes the 'walk in' original aft cabin of the 1910 Sobriety barge that is moored at the Museum having been refitted for residential expeditions.
Historic models of Goole ships form part of the collection and there is an interactive interpretaion of The 'Tom Pudding' story - and the compartment tug Wheldale.
In 2001 the Museum was funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund to build a new gallery which is also interactive. This interprets the boat building industry and the story of Sail and Keel. There are sails that can be raised and lowered and a demonstration that the effect of the wind has on different sail rigs.
Opening Times and Prices
9.00 - 4.00pm Monday to Friday all year and weekend opening times are 11.00 - 4.00pm Saturday and Sunday with regular Goole History Dock Trips.
(Closed for Christmas)
Costs: There is no entry fee for casual visitors although group parties, out of hours visits and guided tours incur an administartive charge per head. Dock Trips cost £4.00 per head or £3.00 under 12's
The Museum Cafe serves hot and cold meals and drinks and has a regularly changing menu. Much of the seasonal produce from the Community Garden is used in the preparation of the food.
Conference catering and outside catering can be booked. The catering supervisor oversees the cooking and menu planning and isassisted by trainees of Caring Caterers, a supported employment opportunity for adults with learning disabilities and also young people on work experience.
The Museum Gift Shop stocks a new range of high quality merchandise depicting the Wheldale tug and will soon be available for on line shopping.It also stocks specialist books for waterways and boat enthusiasts and waterways related souvenirs for chldren. Handmade cards and gifts produced by craft students are also sold.
Photographic Archive
Search through more than 5000 historic photographs, using our CD-ROM. collection. Have the chance to look at some of the beautiful original prints. Why not do both? You could even get copies to take away! The Yorkshire Waterways Museum is currently seeking funding to produce an on line and digitised archive which will need support and help from volunteers.
No.5 Boat Hoist, South Dock, Goole
The Boat Hoist is a seperate charity whose purpose is to restore, maintain and interpret the Historic Boat Hoist designed by William Hammond Bartholomew. The entrance to this site is also located on the Dutch River Side and is the venue for meetings of Goole Model Boat Club. There are displays at the Museum which explain the history and purpose of the Hoist. Access to this interesting site is by arrangement with the Yorkshire Waterways Museum reception.Coming again after popular demand
Holderness Vikings (part of Regia anglorum)
Battle Demonstrations, Coin Striking, Living History Displays, Childrens Battle Drills in Viking Stadium with Fully Costumed Warriors.
Temporary Exhibitions
Temporary art and collection exhibitions are held regularly. Visit the news page for the new calendar.
Special Events are arranged throughout the year - see below for Sunday schedule.Friday 13th June - Allotment Open Day and Barbecue to promote the Peoples Millions 'Roots 2 Shoots' project.
Sunday 15th June Historical Motorcycle Display
Sunday 13th July Family History Day
July (date to follow) 'Lazy Sunday Morning' live music day featuring The Tempo Music Project.
Friday 1st August Yorkshire Day - celebrating tastes and customs
Sunday 3rd August Goole Model Boat Club Open Day at the Museum
Sunday 24th August WW2 Display day with reactments, exhibitions and the unveiling of Mulberry Harbour model section (funded by MLA)
Sunday 31st August Classic Car Show
Sunday 21st September Polish Festival
Sunday 26th October Pumpkin Festival
Saturday 29th November Christmas Craft Fair
Schools
The Museum encourages visits from all schools and understands the need to meet specific learning outcomes. Please look at the Downloads page for Risk Assessments.
An educational CD-ROM for Key Stage 2 is available and was produced during 2004. It was funded by YMLAC (Yorkshire Museums, Libraries and Archives Council) to increase school participation and to tie the collection in with the National Curriculum. Click here for preview
Key Stage 1 Activity Pack funded by YMLAC and created and designed by St Josephs' Catholic Primary School in partnership with The Yorkshire Waterways Museum was launched in March 06
An exciting new resource was developed and launched in 2006 - a modular interpretion of a boat hoist and hydraulic power. This is available free of charge as an outreach exhibit to schools by arrangement. It was built by a local Science teacher and advisor who is able to provide accommpanying workshops. Please contact the Museum for his fee structure.
Alternative Learning Programme and Work Based Learning Experiences are available for individuals who struggle in mainstream school on a full time basis, are excluded from school or who need confidence in an out of school setting.
Group Visits
Group visits can be arranged to meet specific requirements and can include a Museum tour, a guided Nature Trail walk, a Goole Docks History Boat Tour with commentary and a Buffet Meal.
Room 58 - Floating Art Gallery and Conference Facility.
Room 58 is a converted grain barge moored alongside the Museum. It has changing art exhibitions which are free to visit. The Museum Foyer is also available as exhibition space.
Room 58 can also be hired for corporate events, conferences and as a training venue. See Boats Page for further details.
Volunteering
The Museum relies on volunteers for help and has a training programme in place to provide the neccesary skills. It is an enjoyable way to use up spare time, share talent and experience and to meet new friends in a friendly professional environment. Volunteers are always needed for boat skippering and crewing, the Community Garden, the Nature Trail, and for Museum Front of House help. Please contact either the Operations Manager or Museum Officer for further information. If you interested in finding out more about the volunteering scheme please contact us.
Out of School Clubs may arrange group bookings throughout the school holidays and can include Boat Trips, Workshops, Nature Trail and Activities. There is a picnic area for lunchtime.
Please enquire for special events.
Please look at our news page for the 2008 calendar with themed Family Fun Days scheduled for Sundays throughout summer.
