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.