The Maritime Museum of Tasmania is a privately operated
maritime museum dedicated to the history of Tasmania's association with the
sea
The sea, connected as the world ocean or simply the ocean, is the body of salty water that covers approximately 71% of the Earth's surface. The word sea is also used to denote second-order sections of the sea, such as the Mediterranean Sea, ...
,
ships
A ship is a large watercraft that travels the world's oceans and other sufficiently deep waterways, carrying cargo or passengers, or in support of specialized missions, such as defense, research, and fishing. Ships are generally distinguished ...
, and
ship-building
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and other floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to befor ...
, and is located at
Carnegie House
Carnegie may refer to:
People
*Carnegie (surname), including a list of people with the name
*Clan Carnegie, a lowland Scottish clan
Institutions Named for Andrew Carnegie
*Carnegie Building (Troy, New York), on the campus of Rensselaer Polytec ...
in
Sullivans Cove
Sullivans Cove is on the River Derwent adjacent to the Hobart City Centre in Tasmania.
It was the site of initial European settlement in the area, and the location of the earlier components of the Port of Hobart.
History
The cove was the init ...
,
Hobart
Hobart ( ; Nuennonne/Palawa kani: ''nipaluna'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Home to almost half of all Tasmanians, it is the least-populated Australian state capital city, and second-small ...
,
Tasmania
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, nickname =
, image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdi ...
.
History
The island state of Tasmania has a long and rich history of association with the sea, going back well before the time of British invasion and settlement on the island. The
indigenous Tasmanians were known to have strong affiliations with the sea, and surrounding islands.
The British of course arrived by sea, and since the time of their first arrival in 1803, Tasmania has had a continuous history or sailing, maritime trade, fishing and other maritime activities. The museum sets out to chart, document and display materials and artefacts related to that history.
Maritime enthusiasts first began to argue that the
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is a museum located in Hobart, Tasmania. The museum was established in 1846, by the Royal Society of Tasmania, the oldest Royal Society outside England.
The TMAG receives 400,000 visitors annually.
...
should include a room dedicated to Tasmania's maritime history in the 1930s. However it wasn't until 1972, when six volunteers decided to create a dedicated museum, that the Maritime Museum of Tasmania was born. It was originally housed in St. George's Church,
Battery Point, and opened in 1973, with an official opening in 1974.
Development
In 1983 the museum relocated into
Secheron House (built 1831), a much more appropriate location, and this also allowed the museum to expand.
The
Government of Tasmania decided to sell Secheron House in 1999, and the Museum took the opportunity to relocate and develop into a major educational institution and public attraction. The museum relocated to its current home, the Carnegie Building, which placed it alongside the docks of
Sullivans Cove
Sullivans Cove is on the River Derwent adjacent to the Hobart City Centre in Tasmania.
It was the site of initial European settlement in the area, and the location of the earlier components of the Port of Hobart.
History
The cove was the init ...
, in close proximity to both the
CBD and the
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is a museum located in Hobart, Tasmania. The museum was established in 1846, by the Royal Society of Tasmania, the oldest Royal Society outside England.
The TMAG receives 400,000 visitors annually.
...
.
The new expanded and modern renovated Carnegie building was opened as the Maritime Museum of Tasmania by
Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. She was queen ...
on 28 March 2000.
See also
*
Australian National Maritime Museum
*
Shipwrecks of Tasmania
*
List of museums in Tasmania
A ''list'' is any set of items in a row. List or lists may also refer to:
People
* List (surname)
Organizations
* List College, an undergraduate division of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
* SC Germania List, German rugby union ...
References
External links
MMT websiteMaritime Museum of Tasmania online collection
{{Authority control
Maritime museums in Australia
Museums in Hobart
Museums established in 1973
1973 establishments in Australia