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.

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...

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

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...

The Stamp Act Crisis in 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 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,...

Civil Air Patrol during World War II 

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

A Curiosity Grows in Carolina

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

‘It’s Electrifying!’: Electrolytic Reduction in Archaeological Conservation

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

Free

Trying Women: A History of Women in the Whaling Industry

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

Gone with the Sea Breeze: Coastal Tourism in Antebellum North Carolina

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

Sensational Sharks: History and Conservation of Sharks in North Carolina

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

Battle of Beaufort: American Revolution

Fort Macon State Park 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, 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.  With daring raids, burning ships, shoot outs, and kidnapping, this battle has...

By Hook or By Crook: Women Pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read

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

Ranked amongst the fiercest pirates from the “Golden age of Piracy” are Anne Bonny and Mary Read. 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,...

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.