Yorkshire Waterways Museum

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.

www.waterwaysmuseum.org.uk