NC Maritime Museum : BEAUFORT

Fish and Fishing
2025-07-15 00:00 - 2025-07-16 00:00, 2025-06-24 - 2025-06-25 (America/New_York) | 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.

Boat in a Day class
2025-07-11 | Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Each participating team assembles a prepared kit for a small flat-bottomed plywood boat suitable for paddling in this course, held in the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort’s Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center. The boat is 12 feet long, 32 inches wide, and weighs about 40 pounds. Each boat will be completed to a watertight condition and ready to take home for paint or varnish.
Teams are limited to a maximum of 4 people, at least one of whom must be an adult. Minimum age is 8 years old. Course fee is $650 ($585 for Friends of the Museum). 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
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.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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.

49th Annual Wooden Boat Show
2025-05-03 10:00 - 16:00 | Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Join us for the 49th Annual Wooden Boat Show, the longest running boat show in the southeast! Whether you’re a boating enthusiast or prefer to keep your feet on dry land, the Annual Wooden Boat Show has activities for all ages.
This free event, held each year on the first Saturday in May, celebrates the art of North Carolina’s traditional wooden boatbuilding and the sport of sailboat racing.
Dozens of handcrafted wooden boats will be on display, along with nautical demonstrations and activities for children. Interested in registering a boat for display? Registration opens April 1 at 8 a.m. Register online or by calling 252-504-7758.
2025 BOAT SHOW SCHEDULE
May 2, 2025
5 – 7 p.m.
OPENING RECEPTION
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center

May 3, 2025
8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
BOAT CHECK-IN and SETUP
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
EXHIBIT OF WOODEN BOATS Be sure to vote for your favorite boat
Front Street
WOODEN BOAT KIDS
Museum Front Patio
KNOT TYING BY DON VAN HOY
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center
IN-WATER BOAT SHOW
Beaufort Waterfront Docks
NAUTICAL BOOK SALE
N.C. Maritime Museum front patio
VINTAGE TOY OUTBOARD MOTORS
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center
BOB ZENTZ
Sea shanties and maritime-themed music
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center

10:30 a.m.
ALL COMERS SAILBOAT RACE
Taylor’s Creek

1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
GO SAILING IN A TRADITIONAL WOODEN BOAT Free, $5 per person donation suggested
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center

4 p.m.
WOODEN BOAT SHOW AWARDS RECEPTION
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center
Check out the 2024 winners!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

North Carolina Whales and Whaling Symposium
2025-03-21 10:00 - 16:30 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 28512, 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 the state’s coastal waters and further offshore, how and where some of these species were/are hunted regionally, and the contributions aerial surveys, stranding response, and prepared skeletal specimens make to research, conservation and education.
The program is free. However, pre-registration required due to limited seating; you must register for each program that you plan on attending individually. Register below or by calling 252-504-7758.
SCHEDULE:
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Educational Display: Interactive and informative display of whale teeth, baleen, oil, skulls, and bones, as well as educational games.
10 a.m. Welcome and Introduction
10:15 a.m. “Trying Women: A History of Women in the Whaling Industry”
Christine Brin, North Carolina Maritime Museum associate curator of education
Using information gathered from whaling communities around the North Atlantic, Christine Brin pieces together 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 17th century North Atlantic maritime community.
11 a.m. “Mogul and Medieval Iceland: A Millennium of North Atlantic Right Whales”
Dr. Vicki Szabo, professor of ancient, medieval, and environmental history at Western Carolina University
In 2018, a young North Atlantic right whale named Mogul made a splash off the coast of Iceland. Mogul’s transatlantic trip was remarkable because his species has not been witnessed in those waters for centuries. Using the evidence from medieval sagas, histories, charters, maps, archaeology, and biomolecular analysis, Dr. Szabo offers a thousand-year history of the North Atlantic right whale as seen from the shores of medieval Iceland.
Noon-1:30 p.m. Break for lunch
1:30 p.m. “Does Mother Know Best? Matrilineal Influences on Whale Social Dynamics”
Courtney Felton, North Carolina Maritime Museum associate curator of education
Dive into the world of whale and dolphin social dynamics during this presentation that dives into the role the females of the species play in social interactions, including raising their young, babysitting, and even limiting bullying. Join Courtney Felton to see if mother really does know best.
2:30 p.m. “What Can We Learn from Marine Mammals that Strand on NC Beaches?”
Dr. Vicky Thayer, adjunct professor for the College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State University and North Carolina Stranding Network coordinator
North Carolina beaches see a higher diversity of marine mammal-stranded species than any other state. Most of what we know about many of the species comes from stranded individuals. When searching for the cause of a stranding event, we often find evidence of ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, infectious disease, ingestion of marine debris, cumulative impacts, or shark predation. However, the cause can not always be determined. Join Dr. Vicky Thayer as she explores the challenges and rewards of being part of the collaborative and collegial North Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
3:30 p.m. “North Atlantic Right Whale Aerial Surveys in North Carolina”
Meghan Bradley, Hannah Gricks, and Courtney Caccamo; this season’s southeast United States North Atlantic right whale aerial survey team
Get a brief overview of the duties of the southeast United States’ North Atlantic right whale aerial survey team, as well as highlights of ongoing research and conservation efforts for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, during this snapshot of the survey season since November 2024.

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.

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.

Ports, Pilotage, and Shipping in Colonial North Carolina
2025-01-30 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 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.

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.

Friends of the Maritime Museum Annual Membership Meeting & Holiday Reception
2024-12-08 16:00 - 18:00 | Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, 28516, 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 and open to the public. Everyone is welcome to join the Friends of the Museum. Learn more at maritimefriends.org.
