James Cook Museum in Cooktown, Queensland, Australia | Community museum

James Cook Museum

Locality: Cooktown, Queensland, Australia

Phone: +61 7 4069 5386

Address: 50 Helen Street 4895 Cooktown, QLD, Australia

Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/james-cook-museum

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• Non-profit organisation
• Arts and entertainment
• History Museum
• Museum
• Community museum

25.01.2022 One of our highlight exhibits, this anchor is one of the actual anchors from the HM Bark Endeavour. The anchor we have on display is one of the Endeavour’s bower anchors large and very heavy, used for secure anchorage. When the Endeavour hit the reef in 1770, the crew was forced to throw cargo and equipment overboard, which included the ship’s five anchors. When the Endeavour left Australia, the crew were able to recover four of the anchors, but one bower anchor remained wedged between coral, and so it was left behind. There it remained for just over 200 years, and it was finally recovered in 1971 by a team of divers from the American Academy of Natural Sciences. Restorations were undertaken by the Australian Maritime Museum.

25.01.2022 The artefacts and exhibits contained within the James Cook Museum aren’t the only historical items here the building has an interesting history as well! Built and established as a convent in 1889, it was run by five Sisters of Mercy nuns from Dungarvan, Ireland. These original five nuns were Mother Mary de Sales Meagher, Sister Mary Evangelist Morrissey, Sister Mary Rodriguez Sheehy, Sister Mary Josephine Jones, and Sister Mary Joseph McGrath. It functioned as a school for ...both boarders and local day-time students. It remained open until 1941, when the sisters were evacuated to Herberton and the building was commandeered by the United States Military. The building was returned to the church in 1945; however, the school was not re-opened, as by this time Cooktown’s population which had reached impressive peaks during the gold rush had since shrunk significantly. The building was severely damaged by a cyclone in 1949, rendering it unsafe to the public. By 1969 the building was in such poor condition that it was set to be demolished. However, there was public protest led by local man Hans Looser. This lead to a fundraising appeal for its restoration, which raised $12,000. Following the completion of the restoration, it was decided that the old convent would house a museum, and the care and management of the collection and building was transferred to National Trust. It was opened as the James Cook Museum in April 1970 by Queen Elizabeth II. (Pictured below: The convent building prior to restoration, (front view); the convent building prior to restoration, circa 1949 (back view); students of the convent school; photo of the original five Sisters of Mercy nuns from Ireland.)

24.01.2022 I can confirm that James Cook Museum was broken in to last night and there has been some minor damage. This is now being investigated by police. We have reopened the museum this afternoon to visitors.

23.01.2022 Did you know? The first ever adjustable dentist’s chair was invented in 1790 by American dentist Josiah Flagg, who modified a wooden chair in order to give it an adjustable headrest, making dentistry far more comfortable for both patient and dentist. The chair pictured below a relatively more recent model belonged to the practice of Dr Andrew Standfield Sampson. Sampson was born in England in 1878, moved to Australia around 1892, and went on to gain many qualifications o...ver the course of his life. During the 40 or more years he lived in Cooktown, he worked as not only a dentist, but was also a qualified chemist and optician. Over the course of his time in Cooktown he was elected as mayor, chairman, councillor, and more, as well as being a husband and a father of three. Huge thank you to the Cooktown History Centre, and their extensive research on Mr Sampson. If you’re keen to learn more about Sampson himself, or about other aspects of Cooktown’s history, be sure to pay them a visit.

23.01.2022 We are excited to announce that James Cook Museum will re-open to the public on Friday, 17 July The property will initially open each Friday and Saturday fr...om 9.30am to 3.30pm. The National Trust Queensland property is a stunning nineteenth-century convent, and a popular ‘must-see‘ when visiting far North Queensland. If you are heading to North Queensland head to stunning Cooktown and drop in and say hello to Trust team members and volunteers at the museum! Learn more >> https://bit.ly/2BAd641 Cooktown, Queensland, Australia Explore Tropical North Queensland

22.01.2022 The large turtle shell on display here at the museum is there to represent a significant series of events which occurred between some of the Guugu Yimithirr people and Captain Cook’s crew during the Endeavour landing and repair in Australia. On the 19th of July, it was noticed by some of the Bama who had come aboard that there were many captured sea turtles on-board, which had been taken by the crew to resupply their food stores. To the Guugu Yimithirr, doing such a thing was... wrong. Not only was this stealing from a land that Cook and his crew were strangers to, the Bama understood that taking too many resources at once would upset the balance and lead to less of the vital resources in the future. They attempted to free some of the turtles, and a conflict broke out. A fire was set around the camp, and in retaliation, one of the Bama were wounded. Thanks to the actions of the elder, an individual known in history now as the little old man, reconciliation was reached between the Guugu Yimithirr and Cook’s crew. The elder approached Cook, holding a spear no longer a weapon or symbol of violence, but one which the sharp tip had been broken off. This was a profound gesture which breached the language barrier between the two leaders, and communicated that the Guugu Yimithirr people wanted to bring an end to the violence. The place in which this took place is now known as Reconciliation Rocks. Cook had the spears which his crew had taken from the Bama returned, and they parted ways however, the Endeavour crew did not return or release the turtles. See more

22.01.2022 We had some special guests here at the museum earlier this week! Dr. Louise Denson from the Queensland Conservatorium, and Jan Black, presenter for 4MBS Classic FM, visited as part of their research for their composition of a new musical piece, which was commissioned by the Vera Scarth-Johnson Association for the Cooktown 2020 Expo. (Left to right: Richard Ferguson, Dr. Louise Denson, Jan Black, Jean Stephan)

22.01.2022 Quinkan art (sometimes also spelled as Quinkin) is a very unique style of prehistoric rock art specific to the Laura regions and surrounds, which has given the area the name, Quinkan region. This region is located 4km south-east of Laura, and encompasses approximately 230, 000 hectares. Some of these rock art sites are open to visitation, for the most part through tours lead by local guides. Quinkan is the name given to a variety of Aboriginal spiritual beings. Throughout... the many paintings and engravings, there is a rich assortment of significant individual designs, which all have a particular name, meaning and/or aspect to them. The below painting is a recreation of one such example of Quinkan art, and can be viewed here at the James Cook Museum. The larger central figure is a Quinkan, while the smaller figures represent humans. To the left you can see the outline of a hand this is because, in the original rock art from which this painting has been derived, there are many hand stencils over the walls, which suggests that the sight may have once been used for initiation ceremonies. See more

21.01.2022 Those who’ve followed our page for long enough may remember a post about Willie Forday when his descendant, Bill, visited in July of 2016. We were all very excited this week when another relative of Willie Forday, Benjamin Lee Forday, came to visit the museum. Benjamin, the great-grandson of Mr Forday, arrived with his companion, Diana Carolina Badillo Vega, last Sunday. As with Bill’s visit in 2016, it’d be fitting to share some historical information about Willie Forday, fo...r those who may be unfamiliar. Willie Forday came to Australia at the age of 11, to work for his aunt and uncle in Cooktown at the Hung Kee Chong store on Charlotte Street. Mr Forday lived in Cooktown from 1898, and the funds he gained from his employment were sent back to China, to help look after his widowed mother and his siblings. He worked with his aunt and uncle until 1915, and ended up moving to Rockhampton, where he opened a store and had a family of his own. (Pictured below: Benjamin Lee Forday, standing behind one of our Willie Forday exhibits; close ups of the Willie Forday exhibit; portrait of young Willie Forday with standing behind his aunt, uncle, and younger cousins.)

21.01.2022 Drums have featured heavily in Chinese temples throughout history. Their decoration is symbolic and spiritual in nature, and their sounds can be used for rhythm, or to create noises which represent or simulate thunder, wind, and rain. The drum featured in the photos below, which is displayed here at the James Cook Museum, was from the Chinese temple or Joss house here in Cooktown, which was destroyed in a cyclone in 1949. The images painted on the skin of the drum depict a dr...agon and a fenghuang (sometimes incorrectly referred to as Chinese phoenix). Traditionally, the dragon is considered to be a more masculine presence, and is symbolic of power, luck, and strength, and in mythology are said to have supernatural control over water-based natural occurrences (such as rain, storms, and floods). The fenghuang represents balance, grace, peace, and immortality. When presented alone, it is often considered to be a unity of male and female; however, when paired with a dragon, it more strongly represents femininity. See more

20.01.2022 The piano pictured below was crafted in Paris in 1878 and, by means of an unknown shipwreck, ended up in the possession of an Australian family sometime in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. It was discovered washed ashore north of Port Stewart amidst other debris by a bullock driver named Fred Shepard, who was able to salvage the piano by having it carted to fresh water to thoroughly wash out the salt. Shepard went on to sell it to the Boyd family in Coen for 25. Mrs Boyd, wh...o was a pianist, was able have the piano restored to working order in just three months. It went on to be sold to a man named Ned Waters, and then to the Callaghan family in Laura, then to two nurses in Cooktown. When the two nurses left Cooktown they left the piano behind, and it ended up back in the possession of the Boyds. After Mrs Boyd’s death, it was donated to the James Cook Museum by her son, Stan Boyd, where it remains to this day. See more

20.01.2022 Please note: The James Cook Museum will be open on the Cairns Show Day public holiday, during our usual business hours.Please note: The James Cook Museum will be open on the Cairns Show Day public holiday, during our usual business hours.

19.01.2022 Those of you who’ve visited the James Cook Museum in recent weeks may have noticed that the May-Belle is back on display! Built around 1895, the May-Belle served as a ferry and vital transport for passengers and much-needed supplies during flooding along the Palmer River from Maytown to other settlements during the Palmer River gold rush. It is noted to be a fairly unique kind of vessel, as more commonly flood boats of this time would be made of wood, whereas the May-Belle i...s made of iron. This was much more suited for the environment it was used in, as wood would shrink during the dry months when not in use, which would leave gaps in the hull. Another example of this kind of construction being used is the Coen Flood Boat, which is on display at the Cape York Heritage House. The May-Belle was washed away around 1911 and as such was left behind when Maytown was abandoned by 1945, and was later re-discovered, upturned in a dry river bed and grown over by flora, in 1973. The old vessel was reported and soon retrieved, restored, repainted, and put on display at the James Cook Museum. After restructuring and rearranging of displays in the museum it was kept in storage out of public display for some time, and with the recent re-opening of the museum, is now on display once more in the entry area of the museum. The May-Belle is on the heritage register as a historic vessel with the Australian National Maritime Museum, which you can read about in more detail here: http://arhv.anmm.gov.au/objects/183718

18.01.2022 The tree known as the Endeavour Tree is the tree that the Endeavour was moored to in 1770, which we know thanks to Captain Cook’s co-ordinates which even to this day are considered to be impressively accurate given the century and the fact that in the area, this was the only tree comparably large enough to sustain the weight of the Endeavour while afloat. The displayed section photographed below is from a higher, thinner section of the tree; the postcard from circa 1910... shows more of the original tree, though clearly some parts of it had already been cut away by this point. It was badly damaged by a fire sometime between 1910 and 1960 when, during maintenance burning to clear the Laura railway, the tree was accidentally set alight. Thankfully, it was not destroyed completely, and a section of the tree was cut down and salvaged, along with the plaque, which had to be removed and then attached to this smaller section. It is now displayed here at the James Cook Museum, alongside the cannon and anchor from the Endeavour. See more

16.01.2022 Please be advised that the museum will be closed for the Queen's Birthday public holiday this Monday.Please be advised that the museum will be closed for the Queen's Birthday public holiday this Monday.

13.01.2022 Of all of the individual items we have here in our Chinese History display, such as the ones pictured below, the majority were personal items brought to Australia during the gold rush. The Chinese were a huge part of the gold rush all around Australia, and that was no different for the Cooktown region. From 1875-1877, it is estimated that almost 22,000 Chinese people arrived in or passed through Cooktown, with 18,000 on the goldfields. The Chinese miners were known to be part...icularly resourceful and patient, which generally made them very effective and finding and extracting gold. They also kept market gardens, growing and selling produce to feed the booming population. Many others worked in towns and other condensed areas of population as merchants etc. They were an integral part of the gold rush, and an integral part of Cooktown’s history. See more

13.01.2022 During the Endeavour expedition to Australia, many species previously unknown to Europeans were sighted and recorded. One such animal sighted during Cook’s landing was the animal now known as the kangaroo. On the 22nd of June 1770, some of the crew first sighted the creature, and its incredibly strange appearance took them quite by surprise. Two days later Cook also saw one of the odd animals he’d heard about from his crew, and he recorded a description of it in his journal: ...I saw myself this morning, a little way from the ship, one of the Animals before spoke off: it was of a light mouse Colour and the full size of a Grey Hound, and shaped in every respect like one, with a long tail, which it carried like a Grey hound; in short, I should have taken it for a wild dog but for its walking or running, in which it jump'd like a Hare or Deer. During interactions with the bama during the Endeavour’s 48 day stay in the area, the name of this animal was recorded as kangooroo. After the word was brought back to England, the word eventually morphed into the modern kangaroo. However this is an inaccuracy, as it was based on the Guugu Yimithirr word, gangurru, which specifically referred to the eastern grey. After kangooroo was brought back to England, it became a generic term for all large hopping quadrupeds. Below you can see one of the first sketches of a kangaroo completed by Sydney Parkinson. See more

12.01.2022 NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (Queensland) COVID-19 Response: After reviewing the recommendations of Museums & Galleries Queensland, as a precaution we have decided to temporarily close our museums and heritage sites across Queensland, excluding Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. This includes James Cook Museum. We will notify you as soon as we have a date of reopening. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

11.01.2022 Open day today! All entries will be free today only, until 5pm. Take a look at our event listing to see what's on today here at the museum.

11.01.2022 In town for the June long weekend? Be sure to come along for a book reading, signing and Q & A from Bulgun warra elder, author and school teacher, Irene Hammett, here at the James Cook Museum on Sunday from 12:30 to 1:30pm.

09.01.2022 The intricately carved nautilus shells pictured below were carved by sailors of the S.S. Aramac in the late 19th or early 20th century. They were donated (along with 26 other similarly carved shells) to the Cooktown Hospital, as a gesture of thanks for saving the life of a badly wounded crew member. The 28 shells were sold in an art union raffle to raise funds for the hospital. Of the original 28 shells, these two are the only known surviving carved shells from the S.S. Arama...c. The S.S. Aramac was a steamship built in Glasgow by the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company in 1889. It was constructed for the purpose of operating as a passenger and cargo-carrying ship, journeying between Melbourne and Cooktown, until it was sold to HP Stacey in Sydney in 1925. The Aramac was scuttled in 1929 off the Sydney Heads. AUSNC closed down in 1961, after 74 years of business. (Pictured below: Carved nautilus shells, on display; photo of the S.S. Aramac docked at the Cooktown Warf in 1897.)

08.01.2022 Extended hours today: The James Cook Museum will be open from 7:30-4:00 today only 05/02/2020Extended hours today: The James Cook Museum will be open from 7:30-4:00 today only 05/02/2020

08.01.2022 The model of the Endeavour shown below has been a part of Cooktown’s history for over a century. Built by volunteers in 1913, it was a proud feature in the Captain Cook’s Landing Celebration parade through town in 1913 and 1914. The original purpose of this annual celebration was to raise funds for the local hospital, and though it was intended to become a yearly tradition, in the end in only ran for two consecutive years before the beginning of World War 1 caused planning an...d organization for the annual celebration to cease entirely. In 1965 it was moved into the old railway station museum, but after fifty years it was in very poor condition. Repairs and restoration began in October of 1967; the damaged hull was patched, the sails were restored, and the rigging, deck, deckhouse, ratlines, anchor, bell and bell-house were all replaced. The sum of the restorations cost approximately 100. It ended up in the possession of Stan Boyd, who you may remember from a previous post about a particularly well-travelled piano. Finally, it was given to the James Cook Museum, where it is still on display to this day. See more

07.01.2022 UPDATED OPENING HOURS: The James Cook Museum is now open Tuesday-Saturday every week, 9:30am-3:30pm (excluding public holidays).UPDATED OPENING HOURS: The James Cook Museum is now open Tuesday-Saturday every week, 9:30am-3:30pm (excluding public holidays).

06.01.2022 One of many special moments in Cooktown’s history was Queen Elizabeth’s visit in 1970. As part of the Royal Visit to Australia, Cooktown was placed on the itinerary after over a year of lobbying, due to the significance of the bi-centennial celebrations of Captain Cook’s landing, and the fast approaching grand opening of the brand new James Cook Museum. This was a particularly important event at the time as Cooktown’s population was only around 450, and having the queen visit... would bring in a much-needed increase in visitation to the town. In preparation, buildings were repainted or demolished, the Mulligan Highway upgraded, camping areas and amenities prepared for the expected influx of visitors, invitations sent, and rehearsals begun for the assorted performances to be held for the royal family. On the 22nd of April, the Britannia anchored off Cooktown, the Royal Party landed, and the festivities began. There were speeches, gifted flowers, music and dance, and a re-enactment of Cook’s landing. The Queen was brought up to the James Cook Museum and she formally opened it the key she used is on display here at the museum, as pictured below. Once all the formalities and celebrations were finished, the Royal Party travelled back to the pontoon, they boarded the Britannia once more, and off they went to continue the tour of Australia. See more

06.01.2022 Last week we had the pleasure of having Joel here at the museum for his Grade 10 work experience. He was a natural at working around the museum, and even ended up teaching us all a few things we didn't yet know.

06.01.2022 National Trust Australia Queensland is pleased to announce that the James Cook Museum will be open from 7th January 2020 subject to areas restricted or closed as a result of capital works.

04.01.2022 We are excited to announce that James Cook Museum will be extending its trading hours! The property will be open to visitors from 9.30am to 3.30pm every: - Tuesday - Thursday - Friday - Saturday ... The National Trust Queensland property is a stunning nineteenth-century convent, and a popular ‘must-see‘ when visiting far North Queensland. If you are heading to North Queensland head to stunning Cooktown and drop in and say hello to Trust team members and volunteers at the museum! Learn more >> https://bit.ly/2BAd641 See more

04.01.2022 Last week we were proud to have a pair of special visitors to the James Cook Museum! Sister Pam Bourke from Cairns (left) and Sister Kay O'Neill from Brisbane (right) both have a history with Cooktown and with the museum, as it was previously a Sisters of Mercy convent building. Sister O'Neill spent a short time in Cooktown in the early 2000's, and came to Cooktown once more in order to bring Sister Bourke for a visit to our town after quite some time. Sister Bourke resided i...n Cooktown during the late 1990's and early 2000's. The staircase (pictured below) had previously been removed from the Sisters of Mercy convent in Cooktown and taken to Herbeton in 1944, as the convent building was being converted to a radio base for the US military. Sister Bourke was instrumental in restoring the wrought iron staircase back to its original home, here at the museum. We were delighted to meet and speak to the Sisters during their visit here, and wish them all the best on the rest of their travels! See more

04.01.2022 Only one more night until the June long weekend begins! Make sure you check out all the incredible presentations and activities going on over the course of the festival. You can find the festival program, information, and more at the official Cooktown Discovery Festival facebook page. There will also be an open day here at the museum on Saturday, and you can check out the event listing here on the page to find out more about what that will entail.

02.01.2022 The intricately decorated pedestals shown below were also from the Joss house in Cooktown prior to 1936. Amongst the figures of flowers, birds, and plants, one creature featured quite prominently in the sculpted detail of both of the pedestals is a Qilin (the animalistic figure with scales and hooves). The Qilin was said to appear to people during the rule of a particularly wise and benevolent ruler or to foreshadow the birth or death of a sage. The earliest known reference t...o this creature was in the Zuo Zuan (the Commentary of Zuo), which was written circa 300BC. While depictions of the Qilin in art and literature varies between cultures and times, between each there is generally a set of common descriptors: a dragon-like head, an equine body, scales, cloven hooves, and one or more antlers. It is also always depicted as being a wise and peaceful creature in Buddhist depictions the Qilin is often shown to walk on clouds, to avoid stepping on any creatures or harming even a single blade of grass. In Taoist depictions, the Qilin is also said to punish the wicked or fight to protect good people, breathing fire or using other supernatural abilities in ways similar to the Chinese dragon for this reason, the Qilin is sometimes depicted as being covered in fire. The specific design of the Qilin on these pedestals (dragon head, short deer-like antlers, short ox-like body and hooves, long mane, covering of carp scales, lion’s tail) was most popular during the Qing dynasty (1644-1912). See more

01.01.2022 After reviewing the recommendations of Museums & Galleries Queensland, as a precaution we have decided to temporarily close our museums and heritage sites acros...s Queensland as well as Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. The Currumbin Wildlife Hospital will remain open to treat wildlife patients. To read the full statement from Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary click here >> https://currumbinsanctuary.com.au/before/COVID-19-Statement See more

01.01.2022 The Museum will be open from 7 January 2020 subject to areas restricted or closed as a result of capital works.