Introduction to Wooden Boatbuilding
2026-05-09 - 2026-05-10, 2026-06-20 - 2026-06-21, 2026-08-15 - 2026-08-16, 2026-09-12 - 2026-09-13 | Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
The introductory wooden boatbuilding class provides hands-on experience with fundamental boatbuilding concepts. The course teaches students to select wood, design a boat, and use various techniques like steam bending, planking (carvel or lapstrake), and fastening to construct a small boat. The curriculum covers basic design, essential tools, safe workshop practices, and the properties of wood, culminating in a small project that builds confidence for independent boatbuilding.
Class runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Class fee is $200 ($180 for Friends of the Museum). Minimum age is 16. Course size is limited, and advance registration is required. Register below or by calling 252-504-7758.

Kids' Cove: Boats
2026-05-13 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Kids’ Cove is a free-play program designed for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers with a different maritime themed craft and wiggle activity each month. While the museum’s gallery remains temporarily closed, the Kids’ Cove programs will return to the museum auditorium. This is a screen-free program meant to help caregivers connect with their little ones, each other, and their local maritime heritage. The program is designed so that participants can stay for as short or as long as they want, arriving and leaving at any time during the scheduled program. Programs do not build on each other, so you can participate in one, all, or some without feeling left out. Programs are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. Pre-registration preferred.
Sign up below or by calling 252-504-7758.

Does Mother Know Best? Matrilineal Influences on Whale Social Dynamics
2026-05-14 12:00 - 13:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Dive into the world of whale and dolphin social dynamics during this presentation on the role the females of the species play in social interactions, including raising their young, babysitting, and even limiting bullying. Join Education Curator Courtney Felton to see if mother really does know best.
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 select Thursdays at noon. The lectures are held in the museum auditorium 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.

Sea Turtles in North Carolina
2026-05-21 12:00 - 13:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, 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. Programs are offered select Thursdays at noon. The lectures are held in the museum auditorium 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.

Bonehenge Family Friendly Tour
2026-05-22 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-06-19 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-08-21 14:00 - 14:30 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Children ages 7 to 14 and their companion adults are invited to participate in a new 20 to 30-minute tour of the Bonehenge Whale Center. The free tour is a shortened version of the regular public tour with softer imagery and vocabulary for a younger audience. Along with the opportunity to touch and hold multiple bones, whale oil, and a real whale’s tooth, the tour will include discussions on what whales eat, how they are adapted to deep ocean living, conservation issues regarding whales, and how the public can help.
This tour takes place in an active workshop; therefore, it is not recommended for children under the age of 7. Pre-registration is required by noon the day prior to the program. Register below. For more information, call 252-504-7758.

Exploring Coastal Habitats on the Rachel Carson Reserve
2026-05-26 08:30 - 12:00, 2026-06-24 08:30 - 12:00, 2026-09-08 08:30 - 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 hands-on experiences 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.

Civil Air Patrol during World War II
2026-05-28 12:00 - 13:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
One of history’s secrets is just how close the war came to North Carolina’s coast. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, America’s military was stretched thin, depending on the service of civilians to help 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. Programs are offered select Thursdays at noon. The lectures are held in the museum auditorium 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.

Bonehenge Public Tours
2026-06-05 10:00, 2026-08-28 10:00, 2026-09-11 10:00 | Bonehenge Whale Center, 275 W Beaufort Rd Ext, Beaufort, 28516
Bonehenge Whale Center is dedicated to research, marine conservation, stranded specimen collection, exhibit preparation and display, educational programming, and publications that focus on NC cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises). It operates as a partnership between the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the Carolina Cay Maritime Foundation.
As an active workshop, this site is not regularly open to the public. Join the museum’s Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster and Associate Education Curator Christine Brin for an hour-long guided tour of the whale center. During this program, participants will see the skeletons of multiple whale species, have unique opportunities to interact with these specimens, and learn about the conservation issues facing cetaceans and what the public can do to help.
Participants must be over 14 years old. Limited spaces are available. Pre-registration required by noon the day prior. Register below or by calling (252) 504-7758.

Kids' Cove: Birds
2026-06-10 09:00 - 11:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States

Museum’s Most Wanted: Identifying and Dealing with Museum Pests
2026-06-11 12:00 - 13:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, 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 in this lecture about identifying common museum pests, their impact on collections, and both historical and modern 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. Programs are offered select Thursdays at noon. The lectures are held in the museum auditorium 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.

Trying Women: A History of Women in the Whaling Industry
2026-06-25 12:00 - 13:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, 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. These roles included net mending, running stores, 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 17tt 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. Programs are offered select Thursdays at noon. The lectures are held in the museum auditorium 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.

Kids' Cove: Sharks
2026-07-08 09:00 - 11:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States

Introduction to Woodworking
2026-07-11 - 2026-07-12 | Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
The new Introduction to Woodworking class teaches beginners to safely and efficiently use hand and power tools, understand different wood types and their properties, and apply fundamental techniques like cutting, shaping, joining, and finishing to build a small project. The course focuses on building foundational skills, with instructor demonstrations and supervised hands-on practice, to instill confidence and a solid understanding for future woodworking projects.
Class runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Class fee is $200 ($180 for Friends of the Museum). Minimum age is 16. Course size is limited, and advance registration is required. Register below or by calling 252-504-7758.

Sensational Sharks: History and Conservation of Sharks in North Carolina
2026-07-16 12:00 - 13:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
It’s shark week! Join Education Curator 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. Programs are offered select Thursdays at noon. The lectures are held in the museum auditorium 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.

Battle of Beaufort, American Revolution
2026-07-30 12:00 - 13:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, 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, complete with daring raids, burning ships, shoot outs, and kidnapping.
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 select Thursdays at noon. The lectures are held in the museum auditorium 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.

By Hook or by Crook
2026-08-06 12:00 - 13:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Ranked amongst the fiercest pirates from the “Golden age of Piracy,” Anne Bonny and Mary Read have stories that daytime TV could only aspire to. 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. Programs are offered select Thursdays at noon. The lectures are held in the museum auditorium 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.

Kids' Cove: Whales
2026-08-12 09:00 - 11:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States

It’s Getting Hot in Here: The Importance of Maintaining a Stable Environment for Collections
2026-08-20 12:00 - 13:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Ever wonder what those little gadgets with the temperature and humidity read-outs in museum cases are all about? How about those pink-blue strips, the ones that look like a flat thermometer? Or those little baggies of orange-green beads? Conservators and collections staff spend a great deal of time monitoring and making changes to the museum environment in order to prevent damage to artifacts. Join museum Conservator Michelle Crepeau as she discusses the ways the environment can impact artifacts and what museums do to control environmental effects, including helpful tips and tricks you can apply to your own collections.
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 select Thursdays at noon. The lectures are held in the museum auditorium 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.

Lofting a Boat
2026-08-29 - 2026-08-30 | Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
The boatbuilding class teaches how to create full-size, scaled-up plans for a six-foot boat using a traditional process called lofting. Students will learn to transfer a boat’s design from a boat plan and draw it out in full scale, the first critical steps for creating templates and building a boat.
Class runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Class fee is $110 ($99 for Friends of the Museum). Minimum age is 16. Course size is limited, and advance registration is required. Register below or by calling 252-504-7758.

Lost Ships, Living Reefs: The Dual Legacy of North Carolina Shipwrecks
2026-09-03 12:00 - 13:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Join Education Curator Courtney Felton to explore how North Carolina’s shipwrecks transform into thriving marine habitats and vital parts of our ocean ecosystem.
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 select Thursdays at noon. The lectures are held in the museum auditorium 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.

Kids' Cove: Sailors
2026-09-09 09:00 - 11:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
