Lowestoft Maritime Museum facts for kids
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Lowestoft Maritime Museum in 2016
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| Established | 1968 |
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| Location | Sparrows Nest Gardens, Whapload Road, Lowestoft, NR32 1XG |
| Type | Maritime museum |
The Lowestoft Maritime Museum is a special place in the town of Lowestoft, England. It's a private museum that tells the amazing story of local and national sea history. You can explore many cool things here, like old medals, beautiful sea paintings, and models of ships. The museum also shows how Lowestoft played a part in the fishing industry and the Royal Navy in World War II. It even has the workshop of Christopher Cockerell, who invented the hovercraft!
This museum is Britain's most easterly museum. It is run by people who love the sea and volunteer their time. You can visit it from late April to late October each year. The museum was named the Suffolk Museum of the Year in 2012. It was also a finalist in 2014. There is a small fee to enter.
Discovering the Museum's History
The Lowestoft and East Suffolk Maritime Society started in 1958. It was created by local sea lovers. One key person was Skipper William 'Bill' Soloman. He worked hard to collect many of the items you see in the museum today.
As the collection grew, the town council helped out. In 1968, they gave the Society a old cottage. This cottage is in Sparrow's Nest Park in Lowestoft. It became the permanent home for the Maritime Museum. Each room in the cottage first showed different parts of the fishing industry. There was also a special display about the Royal Naval Patrol Service. This group had its main base, called HMS Europa, right next door in Sparrow's Nest Park during both World Wars.
The museum's collection kept growing. So, in 1977, the cottage was made bigger. This cost £10,000, which was raised through donations. The new part was named the "Bill Soloman Room." This honored Skipper "Bill" Soloman for all his hard work. Prince Philip opened this new section in 1978. In 2010, the museum got a special grant. This allowed for a big update of the displays. Princess Anne opened this new extension in 2010. In 2016, the museum received an important accreditation from the Arts Council.
Exploring the Museum's Exhibits
The museum has many interesting things to see. You can find a display of medals. These were given to brave naval and RNLI (lifeboat) workers. There's also a large collection of marine art and amazing ships in bottles.
You can learn about the fishing industry in Lowestoft. See how the town helped the Royal Navy in World War II. There's even a workbench with tools used by shipwrights (ship builders) and coopers (barrel makers). The museum has many ship models of different sizes.
One very special exhibit is the workshop of Christopher Cockerell. He was the inventor of the hovercraft. His workshop was moved to the museum after he passed away in 1999. You can see his original tools there, including his special left-handed lathe.
There's also a display about Robert William Hook. He was a coxswain (a type of boat leader) at RNLI Lowestoft. He saved more than 600 lives! Another small display honors Thomas Crisp. He was a local hero who won the Victoria Cross during World War I. His original Memorial Plaque is on display.
The museum also has fun, interactive displays for kids. You can try a maritime identification trail. Learn about Lowestoft's link with Madam Prunier and her London restaurant. See many old photos and paintings. There's a section on Lowestoft during wartime. You can even step into a reconstructed wheelhouse (where the ship is steered). It has a working radio to listen to passing ships! The museum also has a small cinema showing old films.
Before you leave, you can visit the museum shop. It sells many sea-themed items.
