About Us
Staithes Museum and Heritage Trust
Staithes Museum is a dedicated heritage centre celebrating the rich history of Staithes and its people, tracing the village’s heritage back hundreds of years. Our collection includes thousands of photographs, memorabilia, and artifacts that highlight Staithes’ key industries—fishing, ironstone mining, and alum quarrying—as well as its maritime legacy, including Captain Cook’s apprenticeship in the village. Visitors can explore lifeboat stories, maritime models and timepieces, natural sciences, and the vibrant artistic heritage of Staithes, along with the once-bustling railway that shaped the region.
Founded by Reg Firth and his wife, Anne, the museum is housed in a beautifully restored Grade II listed Methodist Chapel on the High Street. Since Reg’s passing in 2018, our team of enthusiastic volunteers, curators, trustees and donors have worked to preserve his legacy, ensuring the museum remains a vital asset to the community and a celebration of Staithes’ rich and important social and family history.
Our Past
Staithes Museum began as a labour of love, created by local historian Reg Firth and his wife, Anne, in 1993. Inspired by a deep passion for preserving the village’s rich heritage, the couple purchased the Grade II listed Methodist Chapel on the High Street and transformed it into a museum. Over the years, they meticulously restored the building and filled it with artefacts that reflect the lives and stories of Staithes’ residents—from fishermen and miners to artists and explorers.
The museum’s collection grew, encompassing thousands of items that capture the essence of Staithes’ past, including memorabilia from Captain Cook’s time in the village, fishing and mining tools, photographs, maritime models, and local art. Reg’s vision was to create a space where the community could come together to remember and celebrate their shared history.
After Reg’s passing in 2018, Anne and their family wanted his legacy to live on.
Thanks to the dedication of local residents, the museum was preserved and continues to thrive as a beloved cornerstone of the village. Today, the museum serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of Staithes and its people, welcoming visitors from near and far to discover the stories that shaped this unique coastal community.
Our Present
In 2018, after the passing of Reg Firth, the future of Staithes Museum faced uncertainty. Determined to keep the museum and its collection intact for the community, a group of dedicated local residents led by David Linley rallied to preserve Reg’s legacy. With the support of the village and beyond, they formed the Staithes Museum and Heritage Trust, working tirelessly to raise the necessary funds.
Thanks to generous donations, grants, and a supportive benefactor who purchased the building, the Trust successfully secured £110,000 to acquire the museum’s extensive collection. This monumental effort ensured that the artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia remained together and accessible to the public. Today, the museum is run by a passionate team of volunteers, guided by the Trust, who continue to maintain and expand its exhibits.
The museum thrives as a vital part of the Staithes community, welcoming over 22,000 visitors each year. With a growing collection and a commitment to preserving the village’s heritage, the museum is more than just a place of history—it’s a living testament to the power of community and the importance of safeguarding local stories for future generations.
Meet The Team
David Linley. Chairman of Trustees
David Linley has been a resident of Staithes for twelve years, following a 24-year career in logistics. He ran the Endeavour Bed and Breakfast and occasional pop-up restaurant in the village and has also volunteered as a driver for the Cobble Courier community bus. As Chairman of the Staithes Museum and Heritage Trust, David played a pivotal role in forming the charity, securing the future of the museum’s collection for the local community.
Colin Pyrah OBE, Trustee
Colin Pyrah has had a profound impact on the UK’s museum and heritage industry. Best known for his award-winning work on the Jorvik Viking Centre in 1985, Colin has since been involved in designing and building over 1,000 visitor attractions and museums worldwide. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded an OBE in 2012 for ‘Services to the UK’s Museum and Heritage Industry.’ Colin also serves as a trustee of Whitby Museum, bringing his wealth of expertise to Staithes Museum.
Photo credit: Ceri Oakes
Val Lake, Trustee
Val Lake has had a distinguished career in the NHS, serving in clinical, management, and leadership roles, as well as contributing to national healthcare projects. With over a decade of experience as a charity trustee for Middlesbrough and Stockton organizations, Val has successfully raised funds for numerous causes. Living near Staithes, she is passionate about the museum and has personal connections to maritime history, with ancestors who sailed with Captain Cook on the Endeavour.
David Milnes, Trustee
David Milnes spent many years working in healthcare before turning his passion for the arts into the development of Staithes Gallery and Staithes Art School with his wife, Allison. Invited to join the trustees in 2019, David has been inspired by the dedication of the museum’s volunteers and the remarkable progress made in preserving Staithes’ heritage. His background in both healthcare and the arts brings a unique perspective to the museum’s leadership team.
Jackie Ambrosini, Trustee
Jackie Ambrosini thinks she made the wrong choice when she chose a career in journalism instead of history, on graduating 40 years ago. She was always nuts about anything history. She’s making up for it now - volunteering on archaeological digs and identifying finds for the Museum of London, and three years of curating history talks for the Staithes Arts & Heritage Festival. She’s been captivated Staithes for decades: relocating here from London two years ago and becoming a trustee of this wonderful institution mean she can combine two big passions.
Caroline Hawley, Trustee
Caroline Hawley began her career in antiques as a teenager, later establishing her own shop in East Yorkshire. Since 2000, she has been running regular antique and fine art auctions with her husband at their auction house in Beverley. Caroline is a familiar face on BBC antiques programmes such as Flog It! and Bargain Hunt. Her passion for history and antiques brings valuable insight to her role as a trustee of Staithes Museum.
Ray Williams, Trustee
Ray Williams is a retired public relations manager with a deep connection to the theatre scene in Beverley, where he is now involved in various theatre projects and sound design. His expertise in communications, paired with his enthusiasm for the arts, has made him a valuable addition to the Staithes Museum Trust. Ray continues to use his skills to promote the museum and support its ongoing projects.
Douglas, Museum Assistant
Former sea captain Douglas knows everything there is to know about ships and sailing. He started at the museum as a volunteer, but stepped up to this new role so that he could help develop the museum's outreach programmes and improve our accessibility.
Sarah Porteus, Museum Assistant
Sarah started working at the Staithes Museum in 2025, and has radically transformed the museum shop to be more sustainable, diverse and profitable. With her experience in administration and planning, she helps to keep the museum running smoothly.
Rosie Barnes, Curator / Manager
Rosie Barnes joined Staithes Museum as a trainee curator, bringing her diverse background in education and communication. Having spent years teaching English abroad, Rosie honed skills in planning and engagement, which she now applies to her role at the museum. One of her key contributions is the development of the museum’s newsletter, which keeps volunteers and the community informed and connected. Rosie is passionate about expanding the museum’s educational outreach and working with the volunteer team to enhance the museum’s role as a hub of local heritage. She also plays a central role in cataloguing the museum’s collection and creating digital records, ensuring the legacy of Staithes is preserved for future generations.
Colin, Volunteer
Retired engineer, and an expert in Captain Cook and interesting bricks, Colin enjoys telling the real story behind Cook's death in Hawaii,
More Volunteer Bios coming soon
Our dedicated volunteers are the heart and soul of Staithes Museum. Their passion and commitment are essential in keeping our doors open and our exhibits vibrant. We are deeply grateful for their support and hard work. We’ll be adding biographies of our amazing volunteers here soon to highlight their invaluable contributions. Stay tuned!
