Hull Museums Seeing Record Numbers of Visitors

Hull Museums have seen an unprecedented increase in visitors, surpassing pre-lockdown figures and marking a significant year of success. Over the past year, more than 383,000 people explored the city's free museums and galleries, which is a 13% rise compared to the 2019/20 season.

Particularly noteworthy is the Museums Quarter, which includes the Streetlife Museum, Hull and East Riding Museum of Archaeology, and Wilberforce House Museum, attracting over 228,000 visitors, a 9% increase from 2018/19.

The Ferens Art Gallery also experienced a surge in attendance, with over 151,000 visitors, up 12% from 2019/20, driven by engaging exhibitions and events.

See our article on the time capsule being buried at Hull Maritime Museum.

Ferens Art Gallery's Success

The Ferens Art Gallery has been a major attraction with over 151,000 visitors, an increase of 12% compared to the 2019/20 season. This impressive turnout is attributed to several key exhibitions and programs, such as the Discover Ancient Egypt season, the Art and Environment season, and the artist-in-residence program.

Currently, the gallery features the popular Jason Wilsher-Mills: Are We There Yet exhibit, which continues to draw large crowds.

Museums Quarter Achievements

The Museums Quarter, comprising the Streetlife Museum, Hull and East Riding Museum of Archaeology, and Wilberforce House Museum, achieved its highest visitor numbers since 2017/18. A total of over 228,000 people visited these sites, marking a 9% increase from 2018/19.

The reopening of Wilberforce House in May 2023, following essential maintenance, played a significant role in this success. The museum hosted several temporary exhibitions, including Taking the Knee, Women Who Inspire Us, and Why We Matter, which resonated with the public.

Engaging Events and Exhibitions

A variety of free events throughout the year contributed to the surge in visitor numbers. Large-scale events such as Medieval Mayhem and Victorian Christmas were particularly popular, drawing significant crowds to the museums. These events, alongside the regular programming, have made Hull Museums a central hub for culture and education in the city.

Prestigious Awards and Recognition

The remarkable year for Hull Museums was capped off with prestigious awards. The Wilberforce House Museum was honored with the National Museum Association’s Museums Change Lives award in 2023 and received high commendation at the Museum and Heritage Awards.

Additionally, the Museum and Gallery’s Visitor Experience Team won the Hull Bid award for Customer Service Excellence, reflecting the dedication and quality of the staff.

Looking Ahead

Jane Avison, Museums and Gallery Manager, expressed her delight at the record-breaking visitor numbers, stating,

"We’re delighted to see the museums attracting such high numbers of visitors, and to have beaten the pre-lockdown visitor figures is fantastic news. We’ve got lots of exciting exhibitions and events coming up over the next 12 months and we look forward to welcoming even more people.”

Cllr Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure, also praised the achievements, saying,

“Our free museums and galleries are amongst some of the best in the country and it's fantastic to see they are appreciated by our residents and visitors to the city. These staggering figures are down to the fantastic offer from our Hull Museums teams, with first-class exhibitions and free events offered throughout the year. I’m excited to see what 2024/25 has in store.”

Final Notes

Hull Museums have had an extraordinary year, with record-breaking visitor numbers and numerous accolades. The wide range of engaging exhibitions and events, combined with the dedication of the museum staff, have solidified Hull Museums as a premier cultural destination.

As they look forward to another promising year, the museums are set to continue their trend of success and community engagement.