Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre is responsible for North East Lincolnshire Council’s collection of over 70,000 objects. The collection charts the history of North East Lincolnshire from prehistory to modern day. This wide-ranging collection includes artworks, archaeology, costumes, ship models, books, social history objects, fishing-related objects and much more.

Within this collection, the Doughty Collection includes maritime art, ship models and chinaware that was bequeathed to the town of Grimsby by Wilfred Vere Doughty on his death in 1941. Put together by Wilfred and his father, former Great Grimsby MP Sir George Doughty, these prominent and wealthy businessmen created the foundation of the museum collection.

A collection of costumes that were collected by the well-known and respected local costume and textile teacher, Joan Sleigh, was bequeathed to the Museum Service. During her lifetime, she built up a very large private collection of clothing, covering hundreds of years giving a fascinating insight into clothing and lifestyles of the public.

The collection is partially on display in the permanent displays at Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre and includes the three historic vessels Ross Tiger, Esther and Perseverance. The collection is also displayed in the Centre’s two temporary galleries exhibition galleries – the Muriel Barker Gallery, the Doughty Gallery. Further collection is displayed at Time Trap in Grimsby Town Hall.  

For more details about the exhibits or collections at Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre please contact Louise Bowen on 01472 323560 or louise.bowen@nelincs.gov.uk