The Rum Story

The Rum Story occupies a Georgian trading building from 1785 and its adjoining warehouses, with exhibitions about rum production and international trade spread across multiple floors. The spaces display machinery, trade goods, and historical documents that trace rum from Caribbean plantations to European markets.

The Jefferson family operated their wine and spirits business at this location for over two centuries until 1998, with connections to estates in Antigua. The building was constructed in 1785 when Whitehaven was a major port for Atlantic trade.

The museum presents the complex history of rum trading and its colonial ties through recreated scenes of an African village, slave ships, and Caribbean settlements. Visitors can encounter these difficult chapters firsthand and see how this trade reshaped societies.

The museum is open daily for visitors and offers guided tours to help you explore the exhibitions. The on-site shop sells rum samples and memorabilia for visitors to take home.

The museum houses a kinetic clock display and recreated environments ranging from tropical rainforests to traditional Cumbrian cottages. These interior spaces create an immersive experience that deepens understanding of the link between local trading communities and distant islands.

Location: Copeland

Inception: 2000

GPS coordinates: 54.54820,-3.58890

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:07