North Carolina Maritime Museum at Beaufort

North Carolina Maritime Museum at Beaufort The museum collects, preserves, researches, documents and interprets the maritime history, culture and environment of coastal North Carolina. The N.C. to 5 p.m.
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This is an official social media account of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Maritime Museum at Beaufort reflects coastal life and interprets lighthouses and lifesaving stations, the seafood industry, motorboats, and more. Studies in marine life, science, and ecology are available for all ages. The Beaufort museum is the repository for artifacts from Blackbeard’s wr

ecked flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, among them cannons, grenades, belt buckles and beads. The Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center teaches boatbuilding for all ages. For more information, visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com. Free admission to the public. Donations appreciated. The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Beaufort is part of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources and is one of seven regional history museums within the Division of State History Museums. In addition to the N.C. Maritime Museum at Beaufort, the seven regional history museums include:

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras is named in honor of the thousands of shipwrecks that litter North Carolina’s coast, and is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of the state’s coastal and shipwreck history, with emphasis on the years 1524 through 1945. Shipwrecks associated with piracy, the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and World Wars I and II are the subject of changing exhibits. The museum has remnants of the earliest known shipwreck found in North Carolina waters, dating to 1650. For more information, visit graveyardoftheatlantic.nc.gov. Mountain Gateway Museum
The Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center is a regional branch of the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh and the westernmost facility in the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Division of State History Museums. Temporarily located at 78-C Catawba Ave. in Old Fort (McDowell County), NC, while hurricane repairs are underway at its permanent location at 24 Water St. in Old Fort, the museum is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. The museum is closed Sundays, Mondays, and state holidays. Admission is free. For more information, visit mgmnc.org. The Museum of the Albemarle
The Museum of the Albemarle is located at 501 S. Water Street in Elizabeth City, NC. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is closed Sundays and state holidays. Serving Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington counties, the museum is the northeast regional history museum of the North Carolina Division of State History Museums. The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex
The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex is located on the corner of Bradford and Arsenal avenues in Fayetteville, N.C. The complex is currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. As of June 1, the new operating hours will be Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. To 5 p.m. The museum operates under the Division of State History Museums, Office of Archives and History, within the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. To learn more about the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, visit museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov. North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport
The N.C. Maritime Museum at Southport tells the story of the Cape Fear region and its people. The museum is at the intersection of the mighty Cape Fear River and the vast Atlantic Ocean. It shares tales of pirates and pillage, blockade running and riverfront archaeology, and other nautical adventures. Ongoing educational programs for children and adults about this area that was a haven for blockade runners and also a pirate hideout are available. For more information, visit ncmaritimemuseumsouthport.com. To***co Farm Life Museum
The mission of the To***co farm Life Museum is to preserve the history of the eastern North Carolina farm family and to interpret and present this legacy to the public. The museum includes a 6,000 square foot exhibit gallery and education space, six historic and recreated 20th century structures, and several outbuildings. For more information, visit tobaccofarmlifemuseum.nc.gov. About the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina: its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit dncr.nc.gov.

09/04/2026

Feral Friday
Are the Shackleford horses “feral” or “wild”?
Feral means their ancestors were once domesticated; “wild” means they live untamed. Both apply to the Banker Ponies of Shackleford Banks.
These Colonial Spanish–descended horses have roamed the 9‑mile barrier island for centuries. See them on the Maritime Museum’s “Hiking and History on Shackleford Banks” trip—ferry ride included! Next hikes will be on September 22 and October 20. See the museum’s website for more details.
Keep at least 50 feet away, don’t feed or touch them, and keep pets leashed. Federal protections keep the herd safe.

On September 3, 1913, during a hurricane, the ship “George W. Wells,” the first six masted schooner ever built, would wr...
09/03/2026

On September 3, 1913, during a hurricane, the ship “George W. Wells,” the first six masted schooner ever built, would wreck off Ocracoke. The remains of “George W. Wells,” would resurface on the local beach for generations making the story of this ship as much history as local lore.

Everyone on board the 345-foot ship, plus a St. Bernard, were rescued in a dramatic storm near Hatteras Inlet.

Image: “George W. Wells,” circa 1900. (Image courtesy San Francisco Public Library).

Image: Part of nameplate from “George W. Wells” from the collection at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.

On September 2, 1942, Coastal Patrol (CAP) Base 21 was established in Beaufort under the Civil Air Patrol. Civilian pilo...
09/02/2026

On September 2, 1942, Coastal Patrol (CAP) Base 21 was established in Beaufort under the Civil Air Patrol. Civilian pilots flew their own planes to watch for German Uboats and support convoy and rescue missions.

By September 7, volunteers were carving runways out of marshland, building basic facilities, and launching patrols along the coast from Cape Hatteras to Cape Fear. Thanks to strong community support and leadership, the base quickly grew, adding paved runways, machine shops, and a large hangar.

A fire in November 1943 destroyed the hangar and several aircraft, but the dedication of Beaufort’s CAP volunteers left a lasting legacy in coastal defense during World War II.

Images: main hangars and control tower, along with other buildings at the Coastal Air Patrol Base No. 21. (Image courtesy NC State Archives).

Images: hangar at Coastal Air Patrol Base No. 21. (Image courtesy NC State Archives).

We're hiring!Museum Curator SupervisorAdministrate and supervise education branch and staff at the NCMM at Beaufort. Sup...
09/01/2026

We're hiring!
Museum Curator Supervisor
Administrate and supervise education branch and staff at the NCMM at Beaufort. Supervise educational branch staff in curatorial level technical work in secondary/teaching collections, taxonomic identification, exhibit implementation, publication writing and proofing, in developing and implementing programming and special events that are part of educational branch responsibilities.

https://nc.wd108.myworkdayjobs.com/NC_Careers/job/Carteret-County-NC/Museum-Curator-Supervisor-60083653MOH-Hybrid_JR-123143

09/01/2026

Murder Mystery Dinner: “Quiet on the Set!”
September 4 & 11
Think you have what it takes to solve a coastal cold case? Step into a night of secrets and suspense at the North Carolina Maritime Museum’s Murder Mystery Dinner!
A crime has unfolded right among the museum exhibits, and the culprit is lurking in the crowd. Interrogate the suspects, track the clues, and enjoy a delicious catered dinner while you piece together the mystery.

08/31/2026

Be part of a legendary crew!

The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Memorial is looking for a Sales Supervisor to help lead our Admissions and Ship’s Store operations and keep things running smoothly for the thousands of visitors who come aboard each year. If you’re a strong people leader who enjoys customer service, problem-solving and working in a one-of-a-kind historic setting, take a look at the position and see if it could be a good fit for you. Applications close on August 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm.

Scan the QR code to learn more and apply or visit https://bit.ly/admissions-supervisor

Hurricane Emily struck the Outer Banks on August 31, 1993, as a Category 3 storm, leaving a major mark on Eastern North ...
08/31/2026

Hurricane Emily struck the Outer Banks on August 31, 1993, as a Category 3 storm, leaving a major mark on Eastern North Carolina. More than 550 homes were damaged beyond repair, and power was cut to Hatteras Island to prevent fires from downed lines.

Storm surge and flooding left one in four Cape Hatteras residents homeless. Strong winds uprooted trees, tore off roofs, and caused $35 million in damage. Two lives were tragically lost when swimmers drowned in Nags Head.

As hurricane season continues, now is the time to prepare—not after a storm forms. Visit ReadyNC.gov for a list of emergency supply kit essentials.



Preparing early helps protect you, your family, and your community.


Images: Surge Flooding near Buxton, NC associated with Hurricane Emily, August 31, 1993. (Image courtesy the National Weather Service).

Feathered Friday Ospreys have a unique outer toe that can reverse to help them hold onto slippery fish, resulting in a “...
08/28/2026

Feathered Friday
Ospreys have a unique outer toe that can reverse to help them hold onto slippery fish, resulting in a “two toes forward and one toe back grip.”

These birds of prey are incredible fish loving raptors you can spot along the North Carolina coastal waterways. They’re one of the easiest birds of prey to observe thanks to their big, attention‑grabbing nests built on dead trees, channel markers, and even other human‑made structures.

Ospreys are protected, nongame birds that stand over 21 inches tall with wingspans reaching up to 6 feet. They’re dark brown on top, bright white underneath, with a striking white head and a bold brown stripe through the eye. If you see a bird flying with crooked, M‑shaped wings and dark patches under the wings, you’ve likely found an osprey.

They’re also the only raptor that dives feet‑first straight into the water to grab fish, using their sharp, spiny foot pads to hold onto slippery prey.

Image: Osprey, Carteret County, May-June 2026. ( NC Maritime Museum at Beaufort images).

On August 27, 1812, North Carolina privateer Otway Burns and partner Edward Pasteur receive official Letters of Marque f...
08/27/2026

On August 27, 1812, North Carolina privateer Otway Burns and partner Edward Pasteur receive official Letters of Marque for the vessel “Snap Dragon.” This authorized the private vessel to attack and capture enemy vessels during the War of 1812.

Image: An oil painting of Otway Burns by F. Mahler, ca. 1875-1895. (Image courtesy of the North Carolina Museum of History).

Image: Painting of “Snap Dragon” by Irwin John Bevan. (Image courtesy the Mariners Museum).

Water skiing may have been invented in the 1920s, but it didn’t take hold in North Carolina until the 1950s, when motorb...
08/25/2026

Water skiing may have been invented in the 1920s, but it didn’t take hold in North Carolina until the 1950s, when motorboats became widely available. Soon, water‑ski exhibitions popped up across the state, and coastal communities like Southport even built water ski ramps right in the harbor.

One incredible example of the sport’s rising popularity was reported by the Carteret News Times on August 25, 1959. The article reported that a young couple from Goldsboro skied all the way from Washington in Beaufort County down to Charleston, South Carolina (335 miles!). They’d already completed a Washington‑to‑Morehead City run the previous summer.

Want to dive deeper into coastal recreation? Visit the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, where you can explore beach culture, historic surfboards, sailing lore, and spearfishing history.

Image: Waters skis, ca. 1960. These skis were used on White Lake, North Carolina. (Part of the NC Maritime Museum at Beaufort Collection).

Image: Article from Carteret News Times Published August 28, 1959. (Image courtesy DigitalNC).

Address

315 Front Street
Beaufort, NC
28516

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+12525047740

Website

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