s What We Collect - Hull Museums Collections

What We Collect

Hull Museums and the Ferens Art Gallery, like many other museums and galleries in the UK, have to follow strict national guidelines by having a written policy for which objects we are allowed to collect. We have hundreds of thousands of items in our collections across eight sites, all of which require gallery display or storage space, documentation, photography/scanning and conservation, and so taking in more objects has to be very carefully considered.




The only reasons for accepting new objects are:

Significant gaps in the collections
Research or educational potential
Important local significance where these are not already represented

Each museum site has an individual list of what it will consider. These are as follows:

FERENS ART GALLERY
Portraits
Maritime Paintings
European Old Masters with emphasis on Dutch and Flemish 17th century works
19th and 20th century British works
Contemporary collecting focusing on photography and new media
Sculpture

HULL & EAST RIDING MUSEUM
Archaeological material illustrating human activity in the Hull and East Riding region
Archaeological material relating to Hull Citadel (up to late 17th century)
Natural history will only be collected in very exceptional circumstances

HANDS ON HISTORY MUSEUM
Coins, medallions, tokens and medals, if of unique importance
20th century male costume, specifically relating to Hull
Women's costume dating to the 1940s, specifically relating to Hull
Madame Clapham costume made in Hull
Items relating to the Old Grammar School

HULL MARITIME MUSEUM
Whaling items if not already represented in collections, with strong links to Hull
Original photographs of vessels and crew relating to Hull
Artefacts linked to Hull's contribution to north and south pole expeditions
Professionally made models of boats and ships with strong link to Hull
Paintings of Hull's maritime heritage. Only in exceptional circumstances
Significant items relating to Hull's fishing industry and decline, after 1970.
Artefacts relating to Hull's merchant shipping, docks and dockers
Items relating to maritime migration through Hull, especially 19th century objects
Ship building artefacts relating to Hull (not plans)
Artefacts relating to local gunsmiths, but only if unique

STREETLIFE MUSEUM
Carriages. Only in very exceptional circumstances, with local significance
Motor cars. Only in very exceptional circumstances, with local significance
Street furniture with direct local provenance and only in exceptional circumstances
Items relating to Amy Johnson (East Riding Museums must be consulted first)

WILBERFORCE HOUSE MUSEUM
Hull silver dating from 17th century. High quality and identified maker
Genuine 18th and 19th century anti-slavery items, particularly relating to specific individuals
Contemporary slavery items on a case by case basis
Social history items of high importance with strong local connections

SPURN LIGHTSHIP
Items not currently represented on the ship, to complete the displays
Personal histories of individuals who worked on board the ship, but only unique experiences

HULL GUILDHALL
This is now a closed collection, so offers will no longer be accepted.

If you think that you have an object that you wish to donate that fits with the above requirements, please contact us on 01482 613902, or email museums@hcandl.co.uk. If you could send us a photograph of your object that would be very helpful.