Coastal Culture and Waterfowl Watching Excursion
2025-01-16 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Observe wintering waterfowl at Pungo Lake and Lake Mattamuskeet during this one-day, guided tour. Not recommended for children under 12; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Ports, Pilotage, and Shipping in Colonial North Carolina
2025-01-30 11:00 (America/New_York) | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, United States
Join Maritime History Curator David Bennett to learn about the economic role of shipping in colonial North Carolina. In addition, the lecture will discuss the rise of ports and pilotage and how they facilitated economic development.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

Museum's Most Wanted: Identifying and Dealing with Museum Pests
2025-02-20 11:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, United States
Many museum artifacts provide tasty treats for a variety of insects, animals, and fungi. A big part of museum conservation is preventing damage to our artifacts, which means knowing what’s eating your collection. Join museum conservator Michelle Crepeau for this lecture all about identifying common museum pests, their impact on collections, and methods of mitigation and prevention.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

The Maritime Dimensions of Coastal Plantations
2025-02-27 11:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, United States
Join David Bennett, curator of maritime history, to learn about the maritime activities of coastal plantations in antebellum North Carolina, including shipping, shipbuilding, ferries, landings, commercial fishing, and more. He will also discuss the lives of free and enslaved watermen associated with coastal plantations.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

Annual Whales and Whaling Symposium
2025-03-21 10:00 - 18:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
The history, biology, conservation, and pedagogy of whales and whaling specific to North Carolina will be covered during the North Carolina Maritime Museum’s annual Whales and Whaling Symposium. The program is free. However, pre-registration preferred due to limited seating. Register below or by calling 252-504-7758.

The Vice-Admiralty Courts of Colonial North Carolina
2025-03-27 11:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, United States
In colonial North Carolina, maritime law was enforced by the Vice-Admiralty Courts. Join Maritime History Curator David Bennett to learn about how the Vice-Admiralty Courts functioned, as well as their involvement in cases regarding smuggling, shipwrecks, prizes, and more.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

ONLINE BOAT REGISTRATION: 49th Annual Wooden Boat Show
2025-04-01 08:00 - 2025-04-30 12:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Sign up to exhibit your vessel at the 49th Annual Wooden Boat Show, the longest-running boat show in the southeast!
Boat registration is $30 for the first boat and $5 for each additional boat. Registration includes an event T-shirt and admission to the opening reception on May 2 (5 to 7 p.m. at the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center) and the awards ceremony on May 3 (4 p.m. at the Watercraft Center).
To register a boat for display, complete the appropriate form below. For more information or to register by phone, call 252-504-7758. Online registration closes April 30. After that time, call 252-504-7758 to register.
Boat check-in is at the Watercraft Center, and setup will be from 8 to 10 a.m. on May 3.

Beaufort's Dolphins: Getting to Know Them
2025-04-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, United States
Bottlenose dolphins occur in Beaufort year-round but they’re not the same individuals and we’re learning a lot from photo-ID and stranding response. Join Museum Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster for an informal discussion about the biology, behavior, and conservation issues affecting “Beaufort’s Dolphins.”
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. Programs are offered most Thursdays at 11 a.m. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. Admission is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

A General History of Mermaids
2025-04-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, United States
The oceans truly connect us all, from pole to pole and around the equator. The legend of the mermaid is a great representation of that connection, one that binds seafarers the world over. A half–human, half–fish creature has appeared in many cultures throughout time and geography. Associate Education Curator Christine Brin will share some of the iconic tales of mermaids, how they have appeared in other regions of our planet, and the evolution the mysterious creature has undergone through the years.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. Programs are offered most Thursdays at 11 a.m. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. Admission is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

The Stamp Act Crisis in North Carolina
2025-04-24 11:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, United States
Join Maritime History Curator David Bennett to learn about the protests of North Carolinians in 1765 and 1766 against a tax levied by Parliament on public papers (legal and commercial documents, newspapers, licenses, etc.). The political crisis resulted in the temporary closure of North Carolina’s ports, which crippled shipping in the colony.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

Civil Air Patrol during World War II
2025-05-15 11:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, United States
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, America’s military was stretched thin, depending on the service of civilian men and women to defend America’s East coast at the beginning of World War II. Join Associate Education Curator Christine Brin for a look at the history of the Civil Air Patrol specific to their work and defense of Eastern North Carolina.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

Sea Turtles of North Carolina
2025-05-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, United States
Spending only a brief time on land, sea turtles are quite different from most other turtles we know. From hatchling to adult, a lifetime at sea is no small task for these reptiles that grow so big. Join Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster on World Turtle Day to learn about the different species of sea turtles that inhabit the coastal waters of North Carolina and the trials they face from before they even emerge from their sandy nest.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

A Curiosity Grows in Carolina
2025-05-29 11:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, United States
On April 2, 1759, a letter was penned that would rock the botanical world: the first documented description of the Venus flytrap. Tales of this tiny green predator from the pine savannahs of Southeastern North Carolina would sweep throughout Europe. Join North Carolina Maritime Museum in Southport Programming and Education Curator Shannon Walker to learn about the little plant sparked a craze that would involve a royal governor, the who’s who of 18th century scientists, and a high seas adventure.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

‘It’s Electrifying!’: Electrolytic Reduction in Archaeological Conservation
2025-06-12 11:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, United States
Join museum Conservator Michelle Crepeau as she discusses electrolytic reduction: what it is, how it works and why conservators use electrochemical reactions to clean and desalinate marine archaeological metals.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

Trying Women: A History of Women in the Whaling Industry
2025-06-19 11:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, United States
Using information gathered from whaling communities around the North Atlantic, Associate Curator of Education Christine Brin will discuss the history of women in the whaling industry. Their roles range from net mending to running stores to processing whale meat and occasionally even joining their husbands at sea. Join us for an interesting insight into the world of women in the early 17th-century North Atlantic maritime community.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

Fish and Fishing
2025-06-24 - 2025-06-25, 2025-07-15 00:00 - 2025-07-16 00:00 | Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Children entering grades 3 and 4 will learn about coastal fish and fishing methods. Cane poles, bait, and tackle are provided for dock fishing during this half-day program that runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Seine nets will be used along a tidal flat. Students also use nets to catch and identify marine life in nearshore waters and create take-home artwork.
Summer Science School courses are designed to give children entering grades one to ten hands-on experiences with North Carolina’s environment, history, and culture. Courses take place outside the main museum building and may involve travel. Advance registration is required. Register below.
Limited scholarships are available; email christine.brin@dncr.nc.gov for scholarship information. For more information, call 252-504-7758.

Model Boats
2025-06-26 - 2025-06-27 | Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Students entering grades 3 and 4 will build a model boat at the museum’s Watercraft Center. They will use museum exhibits and field trips to learn about work boats and boats used for charter fishing and commercial fishing. The types of fish targeted by people fishing aboard these vessels will be discussed as well.
Cost is $90 per child, and class runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day. A limited number of scholarships are available. Advance registration is required. Register below or by phone at 252-504-7758.
Summer Science School programs are sponsored by the Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort.

Gone with the Sea Breeze: Coastal Tourism in Antebellum North Carolina
2025-06-26 11:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, United States
During the summer months of the antebellum period, Eastern North Carolinians retreated to the coast to escape the outbreak of diseases, such as malaria. This summertime exodus spurred the development of second homes, rental properties, and hotels. While staying at the coast, tourists engaged in a variety of recreational activities to pass the time. Join Maritime History Curator David Bennett to learn about the early development of tourism along the North Carolina coast.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

Sensational Sharks: History and Conservation of Sharks in North Carolina
2025-07-10 11:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, United States
Dun-dun…dun-dun… It’s shark week! Join Associate Curator of Education Courtney Felton to dive into the history of the sharks of North Carolina, local fishermen, a great (white) catch, and the work being done to conserve these jaw-some predators.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

Seashore Life II
2025-07-16 - 2025-07-18 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Students entering grades 4 through 6 will investigate estuarine habitats, plants, and animals through field and lab studies. This three-day course includes a field trip to the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve, water quality testing, plankton identification, and many more activities.
Course runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Cost is $120 per child. A limited number of scholarships are available. Advance registration is required.

Model Boats
2025-07-17 - 2025-07-18 | Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
In this three-day camp at the museum’s Watercraft Center, children entering grades 3 and 4 will build their own model boat while learning about life on the water. As campers assemble their boats, they’ll explore coastal waterways and discover the history and function of local workboats, charter vessels, and commercial fishing boats. Through engaging field trips and museum exhibits, students will also learn about the types of fish caught in our region and the important skills needed to live and work on the water. They will use museum exhibits and field trips to learn about workboats and boats used for charter fishing and commercial fishing. The types of fish targeted by people fishing aboard these vessels will be discussed as well.
The program is part of the museum’s Summer Science School series. Its courses are designed to give children entering grades one to ten hands-on experiences with North Carolina’s environment, history, and culture. Some courses take place outside the main museum building and may involve travel. Advance registration is required. Register online at ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com. Limited scholarships that cover course fees are available; email Education Curator Courtney Felton for scholarship information. For more information, call 252-504-7758.
Summer Science School programs are sponsored by the Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort.

Battle of Beaufort: American Revolution
2025-07-17 11:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, 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 the makings of a blockbuster movie, without the need for fictional enhancements.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.

Pirates!
2025-07-29 - 2025-07-30 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Young sailors entering grades 1 and 2 will join their fearless captain and work together to learn about life at sea and how pirates of long ago lived. The crew will build their own boats, set the rules of the ship, and go on a hunt to find the hidden treasure. Advance registration is required for the program, which runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day.
Summer Science School courses are designed to give children entering grades one to ten hands-on experiences with North Carolina’s environment, history, and culture. Some courses take place outside the main museum building and may involve travel. Register below or by calling 252-504-7758. Limited scholarships are available; email christine.brin@dncr.nc.gov for scholarship information.

Seashore Life I
2025-07-31 - 2025-08-01 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Students entering grades 1 and 2 will investigate coastal marine life of the tidal flats, salt marshes, and sounds on local islands during this two-day class. The field-based classes include ferry ride, barrier island hiking, and animal identification.
Course runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Cost is $90 per child. A limited number of scholarships are available. Advance registration is required.

Seashore Life II
2025-08-05 - 2025-08-07 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Children entering grades 5 and 6 will investigate estuarine habitats, plants, and animals through field and lab studies. This three-day course includes a field trip to the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve, water quality testing, plankton identification, and many more activities. Course runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day.
The program is part of the museum’s Summer Science School series. Its courses are designed to give children entering grades one to ten hands-on experiences with North Carolina’s environment, history, and culture. Some courses take place outside the main museum building and may involve travel. Advance registration is required. Register online at ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com. Limited scholarships that cover course fees are available; email Education Curator Courtney Felton for scholarship information. For more information, call 252-504-7758.

By Hook or By Crook: Women Pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read
2025-08-21 11:00 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, 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, and their subsequent fates.
This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series, informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. This lecture is in-person only in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center. Admission is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program.

Kayak the Salt Marsh
2025-08-26 09:00 - 12:00 | Gallants Channel, 293 West Beaufort Road, Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Learn about salt marshes and wildlife while on the water. Basic kayak instruction and safety lessons on shore are followed by a 1.5-mile paddle through the salt marsh in our sit-in cockpit touring kayaks; or bring your own kayak and join us at a discount. The program is recommended for ages 12 and up. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must know how to swim; some kayak experience is recommended.
Field programs are designed to give participants a hands-on experience with North Carolina’s environment, history, and culture. Please note that these programs take place primarily outside. Please review the age and experience requirements before registering. Pre-registration is required by noon the day prior to the program. For more information, call 252-504-7758.

Bonehenge Public Tours
2025-08-29 10:00 | Bonehenge Whale Center, 275 W Beaufort Rd Ext, Beaufort, 28516
Join us for a 40 to 60-minute walking tour of Bonehenge Whale Center, led by Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster and Associate Museum Curator Christine Brin. Keith has spent over 35 years studying marine mammals off the coast of North Carolina, focusing on bottlenose dolphins. His work preparing marine mammal skeletons for educational display is as unique as the Whale Center itself.
Bonehenge Whale Center operates as a partnership between the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the Carolina Cay Maritime Foundation.
Limited spaces are available. The program is not recommended for children under 12 due to the workshop environment. Those 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration required by noon the day prior. Register below or by calling (252) 504-7758.

Exploring Coastal Habitats on the Rachel Carson Reserve
2025-09-03 09:00 - 12:00 | NC
Join a member of our education team to discover the various plants and animals of the salt marsh and tidal flats at the Rachel Carson Reserve. The guided hike will take you through the different habitats and the sandy, muddy, and wet terrain found on Town Marsh and Bird Shoal. The program is recommended for ages 12 and up. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Field programs are designed to give participants a hands-on experience with North Carolina’s environment, history, and culture. Please note that these programs take place primarily outside. Please review the age and experience requirements before registering. Pre-registration is required by noon the day prior to the program. Register below. For more information, call 252-504-7758.
