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Erik the polar bear returns to maritime museum

Eleanor MaslinEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
News imageHull Maritime Museum A stuffed polar bear is looking up and showing his bare teeth. A woman with blonde hair tied up has a makeup brush at the side of his mouth and is wearing a blue glove and looking at him.Hull Maritime Museum
Erik the polar bear has returned to Hull Maritime Museum ahead of its reopening

A popular stuffed polar bear is to go on show at Hull Maritime Museum when it reopens after a six-year, £20.4m renovation next week.

Erik the polar bear was captured in the Arctic in the 1860s by the crew of the Dundee whaling ship SS Erik.

He was on display at the museum for more than 40 years, and is now set to take pride of place in the Age of Sail gallery when the museum reopens on 8 August.

Robin Diaper, curator of social and maritime history, said Erik's return was significant not just because of his "enduring popularity" but also because "he helps us tell the story of the deep connections between Hull and the Arctic whaling industry."

Conservation work in 2010 revealed Erik had newspapers from 1874 hidden inside his body.

The museum said this was "a fascinating reminder of the Victorian techniques used to preserve the bear after it was brought back from the Arctic".

News imageHull Maritime Museum A stuffed polar bear looking up and showing its teeth has been placed on a white square podium in the room of a museum. A woman in dark clothing and a white mask on is attaching his paws to the podium with white cloth.Hull Maritime Museum
Erik was captured by the crew of the Dundee whaling ship, SS Erik, more than 150 years ago

Diaper said the bear also reflects "a very different period in history" which offers the opportunity to "explore how attitudes towards wildlife, conservation and the natural world have changed over time."

Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: "For many people in Hull and beyond, Erik is one of the museum's most recognisable and memorable exhibits, having captured the imagination of generations of families, schoolchildren and visitors over the past four decades."

"The £20.4m restoration has created a fantastic new visitor experience in one of Hull's most important historic buildings, and we are incredibly proud to see it reopening for residents and tourists alike."

News imageHull Maritime Museum The side profile of a stuffed polar bear bearing its teeth. A woman with blonde hair tied back and dark clothing is looking curiously at the polar bear's face. The background is blurred but they are in a room.Hull Maritime Museum
Erik was previously on display in Hull Maritime Museum for more than four decades

Hull Maritime Museum tells the story of the city's maritime heritage that shipped trade, migration, fishing and whaling across Britain and beyond.

It is free to the public but visitors are advised to book a ticket during busy periods.

The restoration of the museum was funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Erik has been able to return due to a long-term loan from The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum.

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