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.

Friends of the Maritime Museum Annual Membership Meeting & Holiday Reception

Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, United States

Join the Friends of the Maritime Museum for a holiday reception at 4 p.m. followed by its annual Membership Meeting at 5 p.m. at the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center. The winner of the 2023 raffle boat will be drawn during the reception. The event is...

Free

Coastal Culture and Waterfowl Watching Excursion

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

$45.00 – $50.00

Ports, Pilotage, and Shipping in Colonial North Carolina

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

Heart of the Sea

Bonehenge Whale Center 275 W Beaufort Rd Ext, Beaufort

Join Museum Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster for a free, informal presentation about our beloved whale “Echo.” Learn about putting together his skeleton and preserving his heart. This presentation also covers the story of Bonehenge Whale Center, a massive volunteer effort inspired by the skeletal...

Free

Museum’s Most Wanted: Identifying and Dealing with Museum Pests

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

Free

The Maritime Dimensions of Coastal Plantations

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

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

North Carolina Whales and Whaling Symposium

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

Join us for the annual Whales and Whaling Symposium to learn about the history, biology, conservation, and pedagogy of whales and whaling related to the southeast U.S. and Caribbean. The free symposium provides an opportunity to learn which species of whales can be found in...

Free
Recurring

The Vice-Admiralty Courts of Colonial North Carolina 

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

ONLINE BOAT REGISTRATION: 49th Annual Wooden Boat Show

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

Beaufort’s Dolphins: Getting to Know Them

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

Free

A General History of Mermaids

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

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.