Mary Rose Museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Mary Rose Trust
College Road
HM Naval Base
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO1 3LX
England
Website
Website
Website
Enquiries
enquiries@historicdockyard.co.uk
Telephone
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
02392 839 766
Fax
02392 295 252
A favourite of Henry VIII, the Mary Rose sank in 1545 on her way to engage in battle with the French. Henry VIII watched from Southsea Castle as she sank taking almost 700 men with her. Following the world's largest underwater excavation, the Mary Rose was raised in 1982 to a worldwide audience of some 60 million people. The artefacts retrieved from the famous warship have helped to rewrite Tudor history. Over 1200 artefacts are imaginatively displayed in the Museum in Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard and the hull is currently away from view a short walk away in the Ship Hall, whilst a brand new museum is being built around her to open in 2012.
The entire collection of this museum is a Designated Collection of national importance.
Venue Type:
Museum, Heritage site, Castle or defences, Ship or maritime heritage site
Additional info
The ship hall closed until 2012 as construction takes place on the new museum. However, the hull of the Mary Rose is interpreted in imaginative and visual ways in the current Museum which houses over 1000 original Tudor artefacts retrieved from the hull.
Included in the interpretation is a new introductory film narrated by Dan Snow; time lapse photography; dramatic new footage of the hull interpreted by experienced guides who are on hand to answer questions and enhanced displays.
Mary Rose Trust
College Road
HM Naval Base
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO1 3LX
England
Website
Website
Website
Enquiries
enquiries@historicdockyard.co.uk
Telephone
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
02392 839 766
Fax
02392 295 252
The entire collection of this museum is a Designated Collection of national importance.
The Mary Rose is the only recovered 16th century warship and is of international significance in maritime archaeology and beyond. Weighing some 300 tons, and standing as high as a four-storey building, the hull is revolutionary in design and provides vital evidence of shipbuilding techniques for a period when ship-plans do not survive. Moreover, the breadth and completeness of the military, domestic and personal objects found within her, in many cases unique, together with the ecofacts and human remains, form one of the largest groups of well preserved associated material. Designation recognises the importance of the whole of the collection which acts as a benchmark for scholars and a fascinating insight into Tudor life.
The Museum charts everyday life on board the famous warship. The collection is unrivalled and boasts a superb collection including cannon, longbows, gold coins and silk clothing but also wooden bowls, tankards and games boards that belonged to the ordinary soldiers and sailors on board. A new Gallery called Bonaventure opens at Easter 2002 offering visitors the chance to try a variety of key exhibits including hoisting the mast and yard arm; trying a large, medium and small longbow and hearing 16th music played on specially replicated instruments based on those found on board. Also displayed for the first time is the world's only 16th Century fighting top. An artefact handling table featuring authentic and replica artefacts from the Mary Rose is manned within the museum and costumed interpreters are generally available to answer questions and demonstrate everyday Tudor crafts.
Collection details
Weapons and War, Social History, Science and Technology, Personalities, Music, Medicine, Maritime, Decorative and Applied Art, Costume and Textiles, Coins and Medals, Archaeology
Key artists and exhibits
- Designated Collection
Collections services
- General guide to collections available
- Object identification and/or written enquiry service
- Public access available to collections information
- Specialist publications on collections available
- Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Mary Rose Trust
College Road
HM Naval Base
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO1 3LX
England
Website
Website
Website
Enquiries
enquiries@historicdockyard.co.uk
Telephone
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
02392 839 766
Fax
02392 295 252
Mary Rose Trust
College Road
HM Naval Base
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO1 3LX
England
Website
Website
Website
Enquiries
enquiries@historicdockyard.co.uk
Telephone
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
02392 839 766
Fax
02392 295 252
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