Look closely at a piece of jet and it doesn’t look particularly impressive at first. Fresh from the cliff, it is not the deep, glossy black that we associate with Victorian jewellery. It is often brownish-grey, dull, and easy to mistake for an ordinary lump of coal. But polish it, and something remarkable happens. The surface transforms into a deep, velvet black that catches the light like glass. For centuries, this strange little piece of fossilised woodland has been pulled

Hello everyone, The latest museum newsletter has just landed! The full version is linked here, or in a text-only version below. This month's edition is packed with all sorts of exciting things happening behind the scenes and around the museum. Inside you'll find: Our brand new Poetry Competition (plus a colourful Poetry Adventure Booklet to get everyone writing) The triumphant entrance of our newly restored Captain Cook portrait Why Bill Hinchley now has his own appreciation

Walk around a museum and you'll find thousands of objects. A fishing hook. A pair of clogs. A sailor's compass. A child's toy. A faded photograph. Each one has a story, but museums don't always know every part of it. Who held it last?What was happening on the day it was used?What hopes did it carry? What arguments did it overhear? What adventures did it survive? Sometimes history leaves us facts. Sometimes it leaves us questions. Poetry has a wonderful way of filling the spac

In this blog post, I'll tell you a bit about my favourite romance in the history of Staithes. The Secret Staithes Diary of Enid Lucy Pease Robinson, edited by James Hart and published in 2010, is a unique first-hand account of life in Staithes during the summer of 1901. Written by a 20-year-old woman from the prominent Pease family of Darlington, the diary was discovered at an auction in West Sussex nearly a century after it was written. The "Secret" Nature of the Diary The j

Hello, all! Please find linked here the latest Staithes Museum newsletter. A text-only version is below this message. This month's edition includes updates on our rolling ball clock, a new family activity sheet inspired by Staithes smugglers, reflections from a museum symposium in Plymouth, an update on our social media experiments, and news of a rather unusual upcoming visit from some ghost hunters. There's also a look at what we're tentatively calling "The Bill Hinchley Eff

For over a century after 1720, the village of Staithes was a major hub for the "Free Trade" - better known as smuggling. While official industries like fishing and ironstone production were important, smuggling formed a vital "hidden economy" that supplemented the income of almost every resident. The unique architecture of the town, with its labyrinthine network of passages, attic hatches, and hidden cellars, made it the perfect haunt for evading the law. Smuggling was a true

David Clark’s book, Between Pulpit and Pew, is a study of how religion actually worked in Staithes during the mid-1970s. Instead of just looking at what ministers preached, Clark looked at the "folk religion"—the local traditions, superstitions, and habits that really mattered to the villagers Here are the main ideas he discusses: 1. Official Religion vs. Folk Religion Official Religion: This is the formal stuff—the rules of the Methodist or Anglican church and what the minis

In 1889, the antiquarian journal Old Yorkshire published “A Ramble in North Yorkshire,” a vivid account of Staithes and the surrounding coast. Part travel writing, part folklore collection, and part social commentary, it captures how Victorian visitors viewed the village and its people. Some of the descriptions are wonderfully observant. Others are deeply patronising by modern standards. The anonymous author was fascinated by what they saw as the “quaintness” and superstition

Tucked into the heart of one of the most picturesque seaside villages in North Yorkshire, Staithes Museum is small in size—but full of stories. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for another wander, here are ten reasons to step through our doors. 1. A Warm Welcome First things first—you’ll be greeted by a friendly face. Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and they’re always ready to share stories, answer questions, or simply make you feel

Dear all, I hope you’re getting a few glimpses of sunshine between all the rainy showers! Please find linked here this month’s Staithes Museum newsletter. There’s plenty to look forward to inside, including the launch of our new audio guide on 18th May, updates on the newly refurbished second shop (and Bill’s brand new village tour film!), and a look ahead to our upcoming work experience placement in July. As always, there are lots of ways to get involved—whether that’s tryin

Each year, International Dark Sky Week invites us to look up—to appreciate the beauty of the night sky and reflect on the importance of protecting it. But in Staithes, darkness has never been just a backdrop. It has shaped lives, guided fishermen, inspired stories, and even played a role in war. From the flicker of firelight to the glow of the stars, the history of this coastal village is deeply entwined with the night. 🔥 Fire in the Darkness: Burning Off the Fleet Before mo

Dear all, Please find linked here our March newsletter from Staithes Museum. A text-only version is below this message. Although we've had hail and gales, it’s been a busy and productive start to the season. In this issue, you’ll find an update on our visitor numbers, a look back at our recent Photo Day, and reflections from the “Press Pause” workshop on tourism in Staithes. We’ve also included news of recent visitors to the museum, our outreach talks in the community, and

Dear all, Please find linked here this month’s Staithes Museum newsletter. A text-only version can be found below this message. There’s lots happening in March — from visiting speakers and community workshops to our ongoing projects behind the scenes. You’ll find details about upcoming talks, the SCOTO Press Pause workshop, our developing 1851 map project, and reflections on recent museum activities. As always, thank you for your continued support, enthusiasm, and involveme

This February half term, we set ourselves a simple but meaningful challenge: how can we help people see Staithes not just as a picturesque seaside village, but as a place layered with stories — stories that live in its cottages, ginnels, harbour walls, and in the objects carefully preserved in the museum? This project was designed to connect local people with local history in a fresh and accessible way. By sharing selected objects from the museum’s collection alongside their

When we think about history, we often think about what was written down — records, diaries, official documents. But in Staithes, much of the village’s past was sung . Songs carried stories. Hymns carried grief. Choruses carried community. And for generations, the people of Staithes filled chapels, cottages, pubs, hillsides and even the open seafront with music. Just recently, we shared a Victorian Staithes cricket song on this blog (here) — full of local jokes and reference

Happy New Year! Please find here our January newsletter. It’s been a quiet, rainy start to the year, but there’s still plenty going on behind the scenes at the museum — from poetry exhibitions and folklore in the Yorkshire Post, to planning our new audio guide and preparing for some exciting visits and projects ahead. There are also details of the next volunteers’ meeting and a visit from the High Sheriff on 5th March, which you’re very welcome to come along to. As always, th

This fascinating piece of research was kindly shared with us by cricket historian Roy Hyde, who visited Staithes Museum with his wife Doctor Helen Hyde last year. While exploring the early history of cricket in the village, Roy uncovered a remarkable find: a celebratory cricket song written and performed in Staithes in 1897, along with the rich story of the team, the people involved, and the brief but brilliant heyday of Staithes Cricket Club at the end of the nineteenth cent

Staithes Museum is a small, independent museum rooted in the history of a North Yorkshire fishing village – but what we offer for learning is surprisingly broad. Our collections, archives and stories span hundreds of years and touch on themes that work across history, geography, science, art, literacy and citizenship. This page is designed as a practical guide for teachers and educators. It explains what’s in our collection, what we’ve done before, and – most importantly – ho

Dear all, It was really lovely to see so many of you recently, and to have the chance to say thank you in person for all the time, care and energy you’ve given to the museum this year. It was also a pleasure to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Attached is our final newsletter of 2025, which looks back on the year through data, stories and updates from across the museum. It brings together visitor figures, social media and website insights, highlights from

Hello everyone! Please find here our latest newsletter for November. This month we’ve included a look back at our Remembrance Day exhibition, an update on our alum interpretation project, and a piece from my apprenticeship reflecting on decision-making and the future of our digitised catalogue. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together. A huge thank you for the donation in response to last month's newsletter “with fond memories of regular holidays