North Carolina’s privateers and letters of marque vessels took the war to sea against British shipping in North American, Caribbean, and European waters. Join Maritime History Curator David Bennett to learn the difference between privateer and letter of marque vessels, who owned them, what life...
Clues from the remains of ships help us learn more about the lives of sailors in the 17th and 18th centuries. Join Associate Education Curator Christine Brin for a look at what seafarers were eating, how they were preparing and storing their food, and what...
North Carolina has many species of whales that travel near our shores and sometimes strand on our beaches. This makes it ideal for biologists to study and promote the conservation and understanding of these endangered marine mammals. Join Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster to learn...
Legends and stories of sea monsters are almost culturally universal, with even landlocked groups of people telling tales of fantastic sea or water creatures. Join Associate Education Curator Christine Brin for a look at some of the most popular sea monsters and some of the...
Join 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 will...
From arsenic to uranium, humans have long had the pesky tendency of using poisons, caustics, carcinogens, and even explosives in our art, our clothing, our entertainment, and as part of our everyday lives. Sometimes these items even make their way into museums, often in odd...
From 1776 to 1779, North Carolina established and maintained a small state navy. It also partnered with Virginia to finance and man two galleys to protect Ocracoke Inlet from British privateers. Join Maritime History Curator David Bennett to learn about how these projects started, what...
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 while on board a ship. Join Associate Curator of Education Christine Brin for an informative...
Join Education Curator Courtney Felton to explore how North Carolina’s shipwrecks transform into thriving marine habitats and vital parts of our ocean ecosystem. 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...
Join Education Curator Courtney Felton to learn about the wreck of Caribsea, a casualty of World War II. On March 11, 1942, this cargo freighter was sunk by German U-boat 158 off Cape Lookout while heading from Santiago de Cuba to Baltimore, Maryland. This program is...