The museum, founded by sailors of the Northern Shipping Company in the 1970s, offers a diverse exhibition covering topics related to the country's first seaport, the exploration of the White Sea, the development of shipbuilding in the Russian North, the period of the Great Patriotic War, and the current state of Russian maritime transport. The exhibition features outdoor exhibits of ships and memorials to outstanding domestic navigators and explorers.

The main exhibition "Millennium of Northern Navigation" not only captivates visitors with the history of northern navigation but also introduces them to the technical aspects of its development, from the first Pomor boats to modern vessels with innovative technologies. Visitors can immerse themselves in various eras, starting from the ancient Pomors who opened new shores of the northern seas to the systematic exploration and practical use of the unique Arctic world.

The museum, designed like a ship, was founded by the famous Arkhangelsk publicist and publisher Yuri Kolmakov. According to his project, the exhibition decor accurately reproduces fragments of a ship, rigging elements, and various details of the internal and external structure of the vessel, creating a special atmosphere. The design project was developed by the honored artist of Russia Evgeny Bogdanov, a well-known Moscow designer of museum exhibitions and displays. Special attention is paid to the role of Arkhangelsk as the first international seaport of Russia, the cradle of domestic shipbuilding, and the center for the study and exploration of the Arctic.

Among the outdoor exhibits are the schooner "Zapad," a collection of artillery pieces and anchors from the 19th-20th centuries, and monuments to famous Russian and Soviet Arctic explorers and outstanding navigators.

The museum's collection includes over 23,000 items and features a unique collection of maritime household items, as well as a reference system for types of ships, ship instruments, and tools. In addition to exhibitions and displays, the museum actively engages in scientific and educational activities. A children's maritime center "Admiral" has been opened on its premises, where interactive classes on the history of the North and navigation are held for schoolchildren.