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.
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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.
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.
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Opening Times and Prices
9.00 – 4.00pm Monday to Friday all year and weekend opening times are 10.00 – 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
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.
Archive Art
No.5 Boat Hoist, South Dock, Goole
The Boat Hoist was a seperate charity whose purpose was to restore, maintain and interpret the Historic Boat Hoist designed by William Hammond Bartholomew. It has now been amalgamated into the Sobriety Project. 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. See the Event Calendar on the left for upcoming exhibitions.
Special Events are arranged throughout the year.
Schools
(visit Schools page for detailed information)
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.
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.
Art exhibition on Room 58
Room 58 can also be hired for corporate events, conferences and as a training venue. See Boats Page for further details.
Volunteering
Please See our Adult volunteers page for further information.
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.
No. 5 Boat Hoist
Click here to see an animated Boat Hoist