Trace the history of Mangonui as a whaling port at this privately-owned museum. You will also be visiting the site of a Maori pa, which was occupied when the first American whale ship visited in 1792. Excavations of the pa by the Department of Conservation have uncovered many Maori artefacts which have been deposited by Ngati Kahu elders for the museum's safe keeping by the museum. Many American artefacts have also been found.

Harpoons from hand held to present day, objects from whalebone and tooth ivory, and a variety of scrimshaw work - including the baton of arguably the first US Consul in New Zealand, W Fletcher are also on display. Captain William Butler's 1840 house is adjacent to the museum building.