Collection: Porthmadog Maritime Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  The collection has grown since the 1970s when the museum was established in the Garlandstone in Porthmadog Harbour. The initial objects were donated by local seafaring members of the community who wanted to preserve the maritime history of the town which was important for the export of slate mined at Blaenau Ffestiniog and marketed around the world.

  The museum moved ashore into the last of the slate sheds around the Harbour. Assistance from the National Maritime Museum and a grant assisted with design. This attracted more deposits from local families of artefacts, paintings and documents relevant to the collection and it continues to grow. Working closely with other maritime museums in North Wales we ensure that items that may be relevant to other ports are transferred to a more appropriate home.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2024

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  The Museum’s strength lies in its illustration of the development of shipbuilding in the district in the context of the emerging slate industry in the hills and the resulting transport links, including the building of the Cob and narrow gauge railways. In the town supporting industries such as the foundries, sail making and chandlery emerged. The human side is illustrated by displays such as a galley and cooking at sea, examples of the seaman’s pastimes, for example building models in cigar boxes, and the life experiences of the maritime families. Hands-on exhibits introduce young people to life on board including the use of different types of pulleys, signalling by flags and lamps, lifting devices etc.

  The collection is supported by a growing reference library, cuttings files and databases consulted by volunteers in answering enquiries received from visitors, or by post or email.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2019

  Licence: CC BY-NC