The museum is housed in the original house where Captain Cook lived while apprenticed to John Walker from 1746 to 1749.
John Walker’s house was where the HMS Endeavour, HMS Resolution, and HMS Adventure were originally built.
The attic room contains original timber beams that date back to when Cook lived in the building.
The collection includes authentic drawings and paintings by artists who accompanied Cook, such as Sydney Parkinson.
The museum holds rare ethnographic items from the Pacific, some dating to the first contact period.
The building was purchased by the Whitby Historical Society in 1979 to prevent it from being converted into flats.
The Captain Cook Memorial Museum is located in the 17th-century former home of shipowner John Walker, where the young James Cook served his apprenticeship as a seaman. The museum chronicles Cook's life and his three major Pacific voyages through a collection of original letters, ship models, and ethnographic artifacts. Visitors explore the house's period-accurate rooms, including the attic where Cook slept during his time in Whitby. The exhibits feature botanical specimens collected during the Endeavour voyage and personal correspondence providing insight into 18th-century maritime life. The structure is situated directly on Grape Lane, occupying the precise building where Cook lived before joining the Royal Navy. The display area integrates the historical architecture of the harbor-side property with curated maritime history.
The view of the harbor from the museum’s rear windows provides a historical perspective on where Cook’s ships were built.
Take time to examine the handwritten letters in the gallery for personal accounts of the voyages.
Check the attic space carefully, as it provides a rare, authentic look at 18th-century living conditions for apprentices.
The museum is spread over multiple floors with steep stairs, so manage your pace accordingly.
Do not overlook the small attic display, which is easy to miss but historically significant as Cook's former sleeping quarters.
Operates on a seasonal basis, typically closing for the winter months from November through March.
Maintain a quiet volume and avoid touching display items; wear comfortable footwear for navigating original uneven floorboards.
