Maryport Maritime Museum

Maryport Maritime Museum unveils the big secrets of this little town’s seafaring past.

The man who created the White Star Line, famed because it built the doomed Titanic, was born here, but Thomas Henry Ismay was just one of the shipbuilders who helped shape this place’s history. The Ritsons, the Hines, the Woods, Peats and Middletons dominated the industry, sending their ships around the world.

They are all immortalised in this museum, which details the timeline of Maryport’s development from a small settlement called Ellenfoot, through to the creation of its harbour in the 18^th century, its boom in the 19^th century, and its fortunes since.

The museum is also home to the stories of two famous artists. William Mitchell came to Maryport from Ireland to work on the railways but eventually began to paint full time. Percy Kelly, a contemporary of LS Lowry, was born in Workington and later lived in Allonby. He was fascinated by views of harbours and boats and many of his works include views of places along the Solway Coast. His 1965 painting, Maryport Harbour, is on show in the Maritime Museum.

There are four different galleries, with a virtual tour and library for those who are unable to access the upper floors.