Paid programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Maritime Museum in Beaufort.
When nature calls, you must go! But where do you go while at sea? You may be surprised by the historical practices of something so basic as using the bathroom when it comes to being on board a ship many years ago. Join Associate Curator...
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...
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 Collection’s staff spend a great...
Diamondback terrapins, a unique and striking marsh turtle, have a long history in Beaufort, from collection and farming in the 1900s to present-day conservation efforts. Join Associate Curator of Education Courtney Felton to discover how terrapins went from being considered a delicacy to being protected....
Join a member of our education team for basic kayak instruction and safety lessons on shore followed by a 1.5-mile paddle through the salt marsh in our sit-in cockpit touring kayaks. The program is recommended for ages 12 and up. All participants under 18 must...
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...
Join Museum Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster for an informal discussion about “Echo” (the museum’s 33.5-foot sperm whale skeleton) and his heart. When the adolescent male whale came ashore at Cape Lookout in 2004, his bones and heart were preserved for study and display. Keith...
Join us for a free 40-minute behind-the-scenes look at Bonehenge Whale Center. Learn about the marine mammals, including bottlenose dolphins, that live off the coast of North Carolina. The preparation of marine mammal skeletons for educational display will also be covered. Not recommended for children under...
During the Civil War, federal soldiers in coastal North Carolina confiscated civilian watercraft on behalf of the war effort. After the war, affected civilians could file for compensation through the Southern Claims Commission. The applications for compensation provide insights into the maritime lives of ordinary...
Wear your favorite costume and cruise between different ports (trunks) to gather treats or play tricks on those who are unprepared. This event will be held on the museum building grounds at 315 Front Street in Beaufort. It will be a traditional trunk or treat...
Legends and stories of sea monsters are almost culturally universal, with even landlocked groups of people telling tales of fantastic sea or water creatures. During this presentation museum Associate Education Curator Christine Brin will look at some of the most popular sea monsters and some...
Lake Phelps was an important maritime resource for Native Americans for thousands of years. In the 1980s, 23 dugout canoes were discovered in and around the lake; and four were recovered for further study. Kimberly Kenyon, head conservator for the North Carolina Office of State...
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.