Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge Artifacts
Beaufort
Those artifacts from Queen Anne's Revenge that have undergone conservation are on exhibit at the North Carolina Maritime Museum at 315 Front Street in Beaufort. NCDCR
Beaufort Historic Site
Beaufort
Preservation efforts have kept Old Beaufort much as it was when the town incorporated in 1722. Tour beautifully restored historic homes interpreted in period style, the old jail, the oldest wood-framed courthouse in the state, an apothecary shop, and the Old Burying Ground. Take a tour aboard a vintage English double-decker bus and hear costumed guides tell tales of Beaufort’s rich past of pirates, star-crossed lovers and Confederate spies. Stroll through the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery and view the works of local and regional artists. Browse through the Old Beaufort Gift Shop’s extensive collection of books on local history, hand-woven rugs, locally carved decoys, fresh herbs, pottery, and much more. ## Located in the 400 block of Ann Street in Beaufort's Historic District, the oldest of the town's cemeteries was established in the early 1700s and was closed by the General Assembly in 1825, fully occupied. The town disagreed, however, and continued burying its loved ones there until the early 1900s. Old Burying Ground inhabitants include a child who died at sea and was buried in a keg of rum, the great NC privateer Capt. Otway Burns and the crew of the Crissie Wright who died when their great schooner went aground at Shackleford Banks during a January storm in 1886. On the National Register of Historic Places, the Old Burying Ground tells many stories of Colonial life in Beaufort, NC's third oldest town. Tours of the Old Burying Ground are offered by the Beaufort Historic Site from June through September on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Beaufort Historic Site
Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center
Harkers Island
The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center documents and preserves the cultural heritage of Core Sound through temporary exhibits, demonstrations and events. Its collection is the region's largest of waterfowl art and local decoys. Its gift shop has both antique and contemporary carvings. The Museum's exhibits and activities are located in its new building on Harkers Island, designed after traditional coastal North Carolina hunting clubs. Its community history archive is on line at www.downeasttour.com. The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum brings together the historical, cultural, artistic, environmental, and educational elements of eastern North Carolina to preserve the rich waterfowl heritage associated with the Core Sound area. The museum, when completed, will display the history, culture, crafts and lifestyles of the individual communities of the area. coresound.com
Fort Macon State Park
Atlantic Beach
Fort Macon interprets and preserves the history of this structure. Displayed throughout the fort is the history of the site and its military role from the pre-Civil War era through World War II. Exhibits include the hot shot furnace in the fort yard, bread oven, kitchen and supply areas, and exhibits on the Fort Macon soldier's life. ## Built between 1826 and 1834 to guard the entrance to Beaufort Harbor, this five-sided fort constructed of brick and stone was intermittently garrisoned before being seized by Confederate troops in 1861 at the outbreak of the Civil War. Twenty-six casements are enclosed by outer walls 4.5 feet thick. In April, 1862 the fort was recaptured by Union forces. During the Reconstruction Era, it was used as a prison. Fort Macon was re garrisoned in 1898 for the Spanish-American War and from 1941-1945 during World War II. Today, Fort Macon is one of the finest surviving examples of 19th century military architecture and fortification. Areas of the fort have been restored to depict periods of soldier occupation. Civil War reenactments occur during summer months. You may tour the restored fort daily except Christmas day. Swimming, fishing, a nature trail and picnicking are available daily. Free ## Civil War: Built 1826-1834 to protect the deep-water port at Beaufort, this fort was taken by North Carolina militia in April 1861. Confederate occupation lasted a little more than a year. Fort Macon fell April 25, 1862 to a Union land-sea operation. The site remains in good shape and is maintained with its Civil War history in mind. Good exhibits located in the casemates. Frequent programs during the summer. Guided and self-guided tours available. Fort Macon State Park
The History Place
Morehead City
The Crystal Coast's newest attraction site is The History Place in downtown Morehead City. The History Place exhibits a widely varied collection that reflects the cultural history of North Carolina's coast from its indigenous Indians through World War II. The research library offers a broad Civil War collection and genealogy research materials. Tea room is on site. Admission is free. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. ## The History Place fosters and promotes public knowledge of and interest in the history and culture of the people of Carteret County. They accomplish this through the collection, preservation, interpretation, documentation, and exhibition of written and tangible materials. A spacious exhibit hall features displays on the culture and history of Carteret County. The museum maintains a library with over 4,000 volumes of American and North Carolina History. The library also collects and maintains a large collection of local history and genealogy material. Civil War items. thehistoryplace.org
North Carolina Maritime Museum
Beaufort
The North Carolina Maritime Museum documents, collects, preserves, and researches the maritime history, and its corollary natural history, of coastal North Carolina for the purpose of interpreting this history through educational services and exhibits for our contemporary society, and passing intact its material culture to future generations. The museum complex includes the main exhibit hall and the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center for the construction and restoration of wooden boats. The museum also maintains the Charles R. McNeill Library and archives with books, journals, photographs and manuscripts on or relating to maritime history. ## The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort preserves and interprets all aspects of the rich maritime heritage of the state through educational exhibits, programs and field trips. Exhibits take visitors from the dugout canoes of native Americans through the variety of sail rigs and hull designs of explorers, traders and privateers. They recall the brave traditions of the US Lifesaving Service and the African American heritage in that service and the menhaden fishery, tools of wooden boat builders and navigators, and repair shops of the earliest outboard engines. Artifacts from the shipwreck that is proving to be Blackbeard the pirate's flagship, Queen Anne's Revenge add the excitement of one of the most significant archeological finds of this century. In the museum's Watercraft Center, visitors watch the construction and restoration of wooden boats. Educational programming includes the Cape Lookout Studies Program, Boatbuilding Skills Classes, Summer Science School for Children and the Junior Sailing Program as well as field trips to coastal habitats, kayaking, adult, family, and private sailing instruction, sliding seat rowing, fossil hunting trips, birding trips, marine life collecting cruises, wildflower and mushroom walks. Quarterly calendars of year around museum activities are available on request. NC Maritime Museum
Wooden Boat Show
Beaufort
The first weekend of May brings classic wooden boats to the Beaufort waterfront to show off and to race. Events are scheduled at the NC Maritime Museum, the Museum's Watercraft Center and on the downtown waterfront in Beaufort. Exhibits are in place 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Sail and rowing races are scheduled. Lectures and activities are scheduled throughout the week before the weekend exhibition. NC Maritime Museum
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