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...

U.S. Life-Saving Service Operations on the North Carolina Coast

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

Join Education Curator Benjamin Wunderly in the museum auditorium as he covers the history of the United States Life-Saving Service in North Carolina. The small crews of this service, the predecessor to the United States Coast Guard, rescued hundreds of shipwrecked sailors during a time...

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...

From Lightships to Light Towers: Illuminating the Capes of North Carolina

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

Shortly after the construction of several coastal lighthouses in North Carolina, it was apparent that some locations would require additional warning lights. The dangerous shoals of Diamond, Lookout and Frying Pan proved difficult to pilot around for many seafaring captains. Join Education Curator Benjamin Wunderly...

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...

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

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

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.