TV stars and a fireworks to welcome museum and mark new chapter in Hartlepool's history

An action-packed day is being lined up to officially welcome a national museum to Hartlepool.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Jun 2016, 08:00 BST
Updated 6th Jun 2016, 08:43 BST
Hartlepool's Maritime Experience.Hartlepool's Maritime Experience.
Hartlepool's Maritime Experience.

Officials today talked of a “major new chapter for the town” with the arrival of the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN).

It will see the site at Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience being re-named as the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool. Once completed, it will tell the story of the Royal Navy surface fleet, the Fleet Air Arm, the Royal Marines and the Submarine Service .

How we first reported the plans for the National Museum in HartlepoolHow we first reported the plans for the National Museum in Hartlepool
How we first reported the plans for the National Museum in Hartlepool
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Large exhibits such as aircraft and guns will be on show as well as changing exhibitions. To celebrate the change, Hartlepool Borough Council and the NMRN have organised a fun day from 12pm to 5pm on Saturday, June 18.

CBeebies presenter Andy Day and Nicola Wood of CBBC’s Deadly Art will be there.

It all starts with a volley of musket fire at 12pm. Historical re-enactments will be held by Georgian naval crews, HMS Royal Marines, the Press Gang and the Naval Barber Ship Surgeon.

There will be storytelling sessions, and maritime arts and crafts sessions in the Museum of Hartlepool. Dr Twist’s Photographarium will be on board the Wingfield Castle, and CBBC’s Nicola Wood will invite people to help her make a giant sand sculpture.

How we first reported the plans for the National Museum in HartlepoolHow we first reported the plans for the National Museum in Hartlepool
How we first reported the plans for the National Museum in Hartlepool
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Entertainment comes from Hartlepool Community Choir, and a display by Hartlepool Sea Cadets. The Museum of Hartlepool’s new exhibition for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland is also under way, and there will be a launch of new maritime-themed laser-cut artworks by artist Helen Snell and a display from students from High Tunstall College of Science at the nearby Hartlepool Art Gallery in Church Square.

Entry to the regular attractions will be free. The event finishes at 5pm with a fireworks display over the marina.

The new partnership will see significant investment in the site, creating a museum featuring items from NMRN’s world-class collection. An estimated 140,000 extra visitors to the town are expected each year.

For more information, call (01429) 869706 or visit www.destinationhartlepool.com, Facebook at whatshappeninghartlepool or Twitter at edest_hpool.

Related topics:HartlepoolNational Museum of the Royal Navy