Paid programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Maritime Museum in Beaufort.

Registration and Refund Policy:

Registration costs, less a 10% fee, are refunded when the museum receives cancellation notice at least 48 hours before the start of a program. There is no refund within 48 hours of the start of a program, and tickets cannot be transferred to a later program date within that 48 hour timeframe. Due to material costs and supply, Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center Courses require a 2-week notification for cancellations; only the course fee is refunded if cancellation occurs prior to 2 weeks. The Museum reserves the right to cancel any program that does not meet the minimum participant requirement up to one week before the program is scheduled. In the event of cancellation due to low enrollment, participants who have submitted a fee will receive a full refund. If a program is canceled due to inclement weather and unable to be rescheduled for another date, the participants will receive a full refund.

Battle of Beaufort: American Revolution

Fort Macon State Park 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, United States

Some historians argue that the final battle of the American Revolutionary War occurred in Beaufort, North Carolina, in April of 1782. Join Associate Curator Christine Brin for a discussion of this dramatic event.  With daring raids, burning ships, shoot outs, and kidnapping, this battle has...

By Hook or By Crook: Women Pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read

Fort Macon State Park 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, United States

Ranked amongst the fiercest pirates from the “Golden age of Piracy” are Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Join Associate Education Curator Christine Brin to learn about these women pirates. She will trace what is known about their life stories, how they came to be pirates,...

Diamondback Terrapins: Uncovering Their History and Shell-ebrating Their Future

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

Diamondback terrapins, a unique and striking marsh turtle, have a long history in Beaufort, from collection and farming in the 1900s to present-day conservation efforts. Join Associate Curator of Education Courtney Felton to discover how terrapins went from being considered a delicacy to being protected....

Free

‘Life Aboard Ship, Means Going at Sea’

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

When nature calls, you must go! But where do you go while at sea? You may be surprised by the historical practices of something so basic as using the bathroom when it comes to being on board a ship many years ago. Join Associate Curator...

Free

The Story Behind Echo the Whale

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

Join Museum Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster for an informal discussion about “Echo” (the museum’s 33.5-foot sperm whale skeleton) and his heart. When the adolescent male whale came ashore at Cape Lookout in 2004, his bones and heart were preserved for study and display. Keith...

Free

Sea Monsters

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

Legends and stories of sea monsters are almost culturally universal, with even landlocked groups of people telling tales of fantastic sea or water creatures. During this presentation museum Associate Education Curator Christine Brin will look at some of the most popular sea monsters and some...

Free

This Collection Will Kill You: Identifying and Addressing Hazardous Materials in Your Collection

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

From arsenic to uranium, humans have long had the pesky tendency of using poisons, caustics, carcinogens, and things that go BOOM! in our art, our clothing, our entertainment, and as part of our everyday lives. Sometimes these items even make their way into museums, often...

Free

On the Hook: Legal Trouble in North Carolina’s Antebellum Commercial Fisheries

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

Join David Bennett, curator of maritime history, for an examination of civil litigation regarding commercial fishing in the Albemarle Sound and its tributaries during the antebellum period. The lawsuits discussed will provide unique insights into the daily operations of the fisheries. This program is part...

Free

Recurring

Whales off North Carolina

Fort Macon State Park 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, United States

North Carolina has many species of whales that travel near our shores and sometimes strand on our beaches.  This makes it ideal for scientists to study and promote the conservation and understanding of these endangered marine mammals.  Join Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster to learn...

Free

History of Santa Claus, Patron Saint of Sailors

Fort Macon State Park 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, United States

Did Santa prefer a green suit before he started wearing his now iconic red? What is Mrs. Claus’s first name? We may not have all the answers regarding the mysterious and jolly figure; but during this family-friendly presentation, we will try to answer some questions...

Free

Registration and Refund Policy:

Registration costs, less a 10% fee, are refunded when the museum receives cancellation notice at least 48 hours before the start of a program. There is no refund within 48 hours of the start of a program, and tickets cannot be transferred to a later program date within that 48 hour timeframe. Due to material costs and supply, Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center Courses require a 2-week notification for cancellations; only the course fee is refunded if cancellation occurs prior to 2 weeks. The Museum reserves the right to cancel any program that does not meet the minimum participant requirement up to one week before the program is scheduled. In the event of cancellation due to low enrollment, participants who have submitted a fee will receive a full refund. If a program is canceled due to inclement weather and unable to be rescheduled for another date, the participants will receive a full refund.