John Paul Jones Cottage Museum
Birthplace cottage and visitor centre of John Paul Jones, the Galloway-born founder of the American navy, on the Arbigland estate near Kirkbean.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The John Paul Jones Cottage stands on the Arbigland estate on the Solway coast, where John Paul Jones, later known as the father of the American navy, was born. His father worked on the estate as head gardener. The small white cottage has long been a landmark for sailors entering the Solway Firth.
In 1831 an American naval officer, Lieutenant Pinckham, found the cottage roofless and in ruins and left money to repair it. The idea of a museum came much later, from the US admiral Jerauld Wright. A bronze plaque was unveiled at the cottage in 1953, and with the help of Admiral Sir Nigel Henderson a restoration plan went ahead in 1990. The museum was officially opened in 1993.
Today the two-roomed cottage is furnished in the style of the 1700s. A nearby building houses a visitor centre with an exhibition and video on the life of Jones, a scale model of his ship Bonhomme Richard and a shop, and there is a picnic area with views over the Solway. The John Paul Jones Trust also looks after the story of Arbigland and other people of Galloway.
Highlights
- Two-roomed birthplace cottage furnished in the style of the 1700s
- Exhibition and video presentation on the life of John Paul Jones
- Scale model of the Bonhomme Richard, fully rigged
- Children's displays with Playmobil pirate ships and virtual reality experiences
- Picnic area with views over the Solway Firth and the Lake District
Permanent exhibitions
- The birthplace cottage – The two-roomed cottage where John Paul Jones was born, furnished in the style of the 1700s.
- Life of John Paul Jones – Interpretive exhibition and video presentation in the visitor centre, with artefacts and a scale model of the Bonhomme Richard.
- Founded
- 1993
- Operated by
- John Paul Jones Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £6 |
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| Children & teens | –Children are admitted free; the museum gives no age limit. |
Passes for the gardens of Arbigland House are also sold at the visitor centre, and a tour of the main rooms of Arbigland House can be arranged. Annual memberships are available.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Children are admitted free. The museum has hands-on displays and virtual reality experiences for young visitors, a collection of Playmobil pirate ships to play with and a free treasure hunt for children.
Getting there & parking
By car
Limited caravan parking is offered at the museum.
The museum is on the Arbigland estate, about 1 mile from Kirkbean and near the grounds of Arbigland House, on the A710 south-west of Dumfries.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The visitor centre sells refreshments, local products and gifts, and there is a picnic area with views over the Solway and the Lake District. Limited caravan parking is also offered.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Small weddings, vow renewals, christenings, corporate days and team-building days can be held in the museum or on the lawns overlooking the Solway Firth.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Good to know | The visitor centre has a video presentation on the life of John Paul Jones. The cottage and museum are in a small area owned by the trust inside the Arbigland estate. |
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