Events and Activities
Sat 17-Sun 18 May
10.00am - 4.00pm - Whitby Fish & Ships festival
Join the Captain Cook crew located in the Creative Marquee near Dock End for fun and games.
FREE event— just join in the fun all weekend!
The museum is open as normal.
Friday 30 May - EXCLUSIVE EVENT - BOOK LAUNCH
The Captain Cook Memorial Museum will host a special book launch and drinks reception to celebrate the release of Edwin Rose’s latest work, Reading the World: British Practices of Natural History, 1760-1820, published by University of Pittsburgh Press.
The event will take place on Friday, May 30, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase copies of the book and enjoy a talk from the author.
Reading the World examines the global networks that shaped British natural history between 1760 and 1820, revealing how educated landowners, collectors, and scientists utilized trade and empire to classify and understand nature. Rose’s research re-evaluates the contributions of Joseph Banks, Daniel Solander, and Thomas Pennant, uncovering the intricate cycle of specimen collection, classification, and publication that defined scientific knowledge production.
The book has already received high praise from leading scholars:
“Edwin Rose’s fascinating study shows how the great natural history collections of the early British empire were transformed into printed information. Highly recommended.” - Janet Browne, Harvard University.
FREE—Limited Spaces - Booking required
Wednesday 28 May - Storytelling and Joseph Bank's Botanical Diorama Workshop
11.30am–12.00pm: NEW! STORYTIME with Clair Stones, Museum Volunteer
For under 5s before every workshop!
(Children to be accompanied by 1 adult.)
The event is free of charge and does not require pre-booking. Spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
12.00pm - 4.00pm - Workshop - Joseph Bank's Botanical Diorama with Book Illustrator (our Learning Officer), Trish Phillips
Make a fold-out papercut diorama featuring plants found during Captain Cook's voyages. Cut out plants and flowers or draw your own to create an incredible 3-dimensional scene
Choose an hour-long session on our website from 12.00pm, 1.00pm, 2.00pm, or 3.00pm (limited spaces).
One adult must accompany children free of charge.
Drop- in or Book Now
Thursday, 5 June
2.00pm – 3.00pm: BOTANICAL ENDEAVORS LECTURE by Clair Stones, Chairman of the Management Committee.
Discover the botanical adventure that reshaped the course of scientific exploration! A captivating lecture on Lieutenant James Cook's groundbreaking first voyage to the South Pacific. Reflecting on the significance to science, the interplay with indigenous peoples, and the lasting impact on modern gardens.
FREE- Limited Spaces - Booking required
Saturday, 7 June
10.00am – 12.00pm - Embroidery demonstration - FREE with your entry fee
Alison Larkin joins us in 2025 to show her embroidery.
Sunday , 8 June
1.00pm - 4.00pm—Embroidery class
Embroidery class for beginners and intermediates £15, including all materials and refreshments (tea, coffee and biscuits)
Limited Spaces—Spaces -— Booking required
Saturday, 14 June - Artist in Residence 2025 Claudia Quayle
10.00 am – 12.00pm - Art Demonstration
You are invited to talk with Claudia whilst she works on her watercolors, exploring the
theme of Sydney Parkinson's Florilegium as seen in our Artists' Room. While focusing on
medicinal plants in New Zealand, working with chief Tāme Wairere Iti of the Ngāi Tūhoe
iwi (tribe), Claudia will then compare these plants to their herbal and medicinal counterparts
found in the Dilston Physic Garden in the north of England.
FREE with your entry fee
1.30 pm - 4.00pm - Learn Watercolour Techniques
You will have the opportunity to practice watercolor on your own under the expert guidance of Claudia. Classes are held in the Endeavour room—numbers are kept small for a quality learning experience, and all materials are included in the price of £15.00.
Limited Spaces—Spaces -— Booking required
Friday, 20 June - EXCLUSIVE EVENING FOR VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT
Join us for wine, nibbles & history!
Time: 6.30pm - 9.00pm
Are you passionate about history and looking for a meaningful way to contribute? Join us for a special evening exclusively for those interested in volunteering at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum—a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and get involved.
Begin the evening with a warm welcome from the chairman of the management committee and our volunteer coordinator, followed by an exclusive guided tour of the museum.
Step into history with a brief introduction to our 2025 exhibition, "Uncharted Dangers: Health at Sea and in Space," by Exhibition Officer Chris Needham, held in the attic—the very room where Captain Cook once lodged.
Hear from current volunteers as they share their experiences and enjoy a relaxed evening with wine and nibbles while exploring opportunities to get involved.
This event has limited capacity, ensuring a personalised experience for attendees. Volunteering with us is a fantastic way to gain experience, meet new people, and play a role in preserving history.