A MARITIME museum is welcoming back visitors free of charge after almost two years of being closed.
Marlipins Museum in Shoreham High Street is opening its doors tomorrow until October 28.
The museum, which is one of the oldest non-religious buildings in Britain, boasts a fascinating mixture of maritime curiosities – from naval surgeons’ sinister-looking medical instruments, to examples of 19th century ship models, the unique collection sheds light on Sussex’s rich maritime history.
Emma O’Connor, museums officer at Sussex Past - the trading name of the Sussex Archaeological Society, said how delighted they are to reopen Marlipins Museum.
She added: “It’s one of the oldest secular buildings still standing in the country and there’s lots to see inside, from the strange and macabre surgical instruments to shipwreck souvenirs and amazing examples of ship modelling.
“We’re also celebrating the 95th anniversary of it being a museum this year. After almost two years of closure, we’re so excited to welcome visitors back.”
The museum has souvenirs from the HMS Royal George, the largest warship in the world at the time of her launch in 1756, which sank off Portsmouth the same year.
Also in the gallery are vegetable ivory nuts which washed up on shores when the Peruvian, a cargo ship travelling from Cuba, was hit by a storm off Seaford in 1898.
The 12th century museum, which is famous for its striking flint and limestone chequerboard façade, is open Wednesdays and Thursdays 11.00am until 3.00pm - with donations always welcome.
Marlipins Museum is usually open from May until October, but had to delay its reopening in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Sussex Archaeological Society care for eight Sussex Past attractions, including Lewes Castle, Fishbourne Roman Palace and the Long Man of Wilmington.
For more information, please visit: https://sussexpast.co.uk.
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