The Hastings Fishermen's Museum is one of the
town's most popular tourist attractions. It is open every day,
except Christmas Day, and over 140,000 people go through the
doors every year. It is inside a church built on the Stade in
1852, which fell out of use after the Second World War. In 1956
local people concerned about preserving the maritime history
of Hastings took over the old Fishermen's Church. They knocked
down part of a wall and pulled inside one of the last of the
luggers (sailing fishing boats), the Enterprise, which only
just fits. All around it are many models, photos, paintings,
nets, ropes and a wide variety of other fishing artefacts. The
Fishermen's Museum is still used for christenings and baptisms,
with a carol concert every Christmas. The museum is run by a
joint committee of the Fishermen's Protection Society and the
Old Hastings Preservation Society. Admission is free.
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