Kids' Cove: Whales
2026-04-08 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.

A General History of Mermaids
2026-04-09 12:00 - 13:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, 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. The 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 watery 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 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.

Introduction to Wooden Boatbuilding
2026-04-11 - 2026-04-12, 2026-05-09 - 2026-05-10, 2026-06-20 - 2026-06-21 | 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.

Exploring Coastal Habitats on the Rachel Carson Reserve
2026-04-23 08:30 - 12:00, 2026-05-26 08:30 - 12:00, 2026-06-24 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.

Beaufort’s Dolphins, Getting to Know Them
2026-04-23 12:00 - 13:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Bottlenose dolphins are seen in Beaufort year-round, but they’re not the same individuals. We’re learning a lot from photo-ID and stranding response. Join Museum Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster to learn 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 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.

Introduction to Woodworking
2026-04-25 - 2026-04-26 | 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.

Science and Exploration on the Rachel Carson Reserve
2026-04-27 08:30 - 12:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Join a museum educator and the Central Sites Manager from the N.C. Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve for a guided hike through the Rachel Carson Reserve. Discover the diverse plants and animals of the salt marsh and tidal flats while exploring the interconnected habitats of Town Marsh and Bird Shoal.

Offered as part of the NC Science Festival, this hike highlights how the reserve’s ecosystems are managed for research, education, and long-term stewardship. Participants will also learn how they can support the reserve through citizen science efforts.

The hike will traverse sandy, muddy, and wet terrain. This program is recommended for ages 12 and up; participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

This hike is one of the museum’s field programs, which 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.

In Irons: American Prisoners of War, 1775-1783
2026-04-30 12:00 - 13:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
During the American War of Independence, many patriots who served on land and sea found themselves as prisoners of war. Some were in British prison camps while others were held aboard British prison ships. Join Maritime History Curator David Bennett as he details the captivity of North Carolinians and other American patriots, as well as daring escapes and maritime routes to freedom.
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.

Wooden Boat Show Opening Reception
2026-05-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
The 50th Annual Wooden Boat Show is kicking off with our annual Opening Reception. This year’s event is free and open to the public. Enjoy refreshments, entertainment, and a preview of the weekend as we celebrate this milestone boat show. Current Friends members, as well those interested in becoming a Friend of the Maritime Museum, wooden boat enthusiasts, captains entered in the show, and the general public are all welcome at this free event.

50th Annual Wooden Boat Show
2026-05-02 10:00 - 16:00 | Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Join us for the 50th 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 here on April 1 at 8 a.m. For more information, call 252-504-7758. For information on being a Boat Show sponsor, contact the Friends of the Maritime Museum.
2026 BOAT SHOW SCHEDULE

Friday, May 1, 2026
5 – 7 p.m.
OPENING RECEPTION
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center

Saturday, May 2, 2026
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

4 p.m.
WOODEN BOAT SHOW AWARDS RECEPTION
Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center

Kayak the Salt Marsh
2026-05-05 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-03 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 the museum’s sit-in cockpit touring kayaks. 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 kayaking 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. Register below. For more information, call 252-504-7758.

Hiking and History on Shackleford Banks
2026-05-12 08:30 - 12:00, 2026-06-09 08:30 - 12:00 | NC
Experience Outer Banks history and wildlife with a guided hike on Shackleford Banks, part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Participants will take a ferry to an undeveloped barrier island. This field trip requires hiking through sandy terrain for 2 to 2.5 miles. 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.

Kids' Cove: Boats
2026-05-13 09:00 - 11:00 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States

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 | 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.

Build a Boat in a Day
2026-05-23 | Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Participants in this introductory workshop use pre-cut kits to construct a small, flat-bottomed plywood boat in a single session. The course focuses on teaching basic woodworking and assembly skills. The class is designed for beginners and is a collaborative effort for families or small teams. Each participating team assembles a small flat-bottomed plywood boat suitable for paddling. 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. Register below or by calling 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 | 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.

Blue Compass I
2026-06-15 - 2026-06-19 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Blue Compass I is a new Summer Science School class that provides children entering grades 1 and 2 with fun and adventure in their coastal environment. The five-day camp highlights the traditions, natural resources, and rich history of the North Carolina coast. Campers will discover how boats float, create fish prints, investigate shipwrecks, dress like pirates, and tour Bonehenge Whale Center to learn about whales. Each day features interactive projects, outdoor exploration, and fun discoveries about life along the coast.
Summer Science School courses are designed to give children entering grades one to 10 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 below. Limited scholarships that cover course fees are available; email Education Curator Courtney Felton for scholarship information. For more information, call 252-504-7758.

Blue Compass II
2026-06-22 - 2026-06-26 | North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, 28516, United States
Blue Compass II is a new Summer Science School class that provides children entering grades 3 and 4 with fun and adventure in their coastal environment. The five-day camp highlights the maritime traditions, natural resources, and rich history of the North Carolina coast. Campers will build a stitch and glue model boat, fish from local docks, investigate underwater archaeology, discover a pirate’s treasure, and tour Bonehenge Whale Center. Each day features interactive projects, outdoor exploration, and fun discoveries about life along the coast. The program runs from 9 a.m.–noon each day.
Summer Science School courses are designed to give children entering grades one to 10 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 below. Limited scholarships that cover course fees are available; email Education Curator Courtney Felton for scholarship information. For more information, call 252-504-7758.
