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.
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...
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...
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...
Join us for the annual Whales and Whaling Symposium to learn about the history, biology, conservation, and pedagogy of whales and whaling related to the southeast U.S. and Caribbean. The free symposium provides an opportunity to learn which species of whales can be found in...
North Carolina has many species of whales that travel near our shores and sometimes strand on our beaches. This makes it ideal for scientists to study and promote the conservation and understanding of these endangered marine mammals. Join Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster to learn...
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...
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...
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...
Education Curator Benjamin Wunderly will give an overview of the history of the United States Life-Saving Service stations that existed in Carteret County, North Carolina. The Life-Saving Service had been operating in North Carolina for 14 years and already had 23 other stations along the...
Did Santa prefer a green suit before he started wearing his now iconic red? What is Mrs. Claus’s first name? We may not have all the answers regarding the mysterious and jolly figure; but during this family-friendly presentation, we will try to answer some questions...
Museum Education Curator Benjamin Wunderly will highlight the rescue of the captain and three crewmembers from the American schooner Leading Breeze. The vessel grounded during a severe southeast gale at Ocracoke Inlet on Nov. 23, 1901. Barely holding on to the wreckage and with all hope...
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. Elise Carroll, conservator for the North Carolina Office of State Conservation...
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.
