Contracts were being finalised on the interior refurbishment, which was to be completed for the start of the cruise-ship season in October.
The refurbishment would modernise the museum, although its "quirky" side would remain, Mr Ledgerwood said.
For the first time exhibits would be organised into categories: social history, maritime industry, boat-building, defence and Antarctic expeditions.
The museum had a special spot as part of a working container port, the only one in the world far as Mr Ledgerwood was aware.
Port Otago was an "extremely good neighbour", with staff helping out the museum when they could.
A $350,000 extension was also planned for the museum which would include interactive displays, but this was a couple of years away and would require significant fundraising, he said.
