Whitby’s Literary History at Whitby Museum

While you’re here in Whitby for the Lit Fest, you may be visiting Whitby Museum which is hosting some of our events, but you could also take in some of their interesting curios or literary exhibitions. Here’s a couple to pique your interest. Tickets for WLF events at the museum include free same-day access to the museum.

Lewis Carroll

On August 2nd 1860, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) visited Whitby Museum and was signed in by lodge house keeper Mrs Jane Hunton who ran the house at 5 East Terrace, and was a longstanding member of Whitby Literary and Philosophical Society.

Dodgson from visiting Whitby six times between 1854 and 1871.

His signature in the museum guest book currently on display in the ‘Alice in Whitby’ Exhibition. Alongside a whimsical take on the characters of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ through the Museum costume collection visitors can take in a podcast and video detailing Dodgson’s Whitby connections. Whitby Literary & Philosophical Society still runs Whitby Museum today.

Bram Stoker

In late July 1890, Bram Stoker made the train journey from London King’s Cross to Whitby.

Boarding at Mrs Veazey’s lodging house at 6 Royal Crescent on the West Cliff, Stoker took in the sights of Whitby proceeding over the old drawbridge to the East side and making his way along Church Street the 199 steps and up to St Mary’s Church as Lucy Westenra would later do in his novel Dracula.

In the final week of the family’s holiday, on 19th August, Bram Stoker visited Whitby Museum, then on Pier Road, where he signed the visitors book. He also visited the subscription library on the floor below. He consulted several books in both libraries which were to influence his work.

Stoker’s signature can be seen on display in the ‘Curiouser & Curiouser’ exhibition at Whitby Museum until the end of November 2026.