Historical Society of Topsail Island

Historical Society of Topsail Island Rent the Historic Assembly Building
All Events--Large or small! Delve into History--
Visit the Missiles & More Museum!

Join us for Luncheon & Lectures
Dedicated to the collection, preservation & promotion of the history of Greater Topsail Island area. In late 1989, the Topsail Beach Economic Development Council (TBEDC), later to become the Topsail Island Historical and Cultural Arts Council (TIHCAC), was formed by a group of business leaders interested in establishing a recreation center for the community. In Jun

e of 1992 TBEDC entered into a contract with the IBM Credit Union to purchase the Assembly Building. The Building had been the research and testing site for Operation Bumblebee, the top secret missile program operated by the Navy on Topsail Island from 1946-1948. In July of 1992, though the efforts of TBEDC and other citizens, the Assembly Building was designated a Historical Site on the the National Register of Historic Places. The Historical Society now had the perfect place to establish the Missiles & More Museum, and with the energies and inspiration of the late Betty Polzer behind it, the Museum was opened in April 1, 1997. Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory which for many years had stored top secret materials from the Bumblebee Project, agreed to populate the Museum with Bumblebee artifacts, including missile mock-ups and films showing Camp Davis activities and missile test flights. The Museum soon became the home for other local historical material, and in 2005 expanded into a new wing adding 1300 feet to its exising 960 square feet. Currently Museum displays include Operation Bumblebee, an expanded Natural History exhibit, two interactive media centers, a pirate exhibit, a Native American exhibit, and a new Osprey
Aircraft exhibit. As the result of numerous fundraising events and the generous support of local citizens and businesses, TIHCAC retired the Assembly Building mortgage in November of 2006. This was followed in April of 2007 by the merger of TIHCAC and The Historical Society. Today, the Historical Society is a thriving nonprofit organization with over 380 members. It is the proud owner of the Assembly Building and the Missiles & More Museum, and its mission continues to be to document and preserve the history of Topsail Island.

9:00 am Monday 1 June!
05/31/2026

9:00 am Monday 1 June!

So excited to share a few beautiful photos from one of our May couples at the Assembly Building 💍✨Huge thank you to Stor...
05/28/2026

So excited to share a few beautiful photos from one of our May couples at the Assembly Building 💍✨

Huge thank you to Stormy Ludlum Photography for capturing these special moments so perfectly!

Congratulations to the happy couple—we loved being part of your day 🤍

Photo credit: Ludlum Photography

Mark your calendars! Meet incredible aquarium friends, learn facinating fun facts and maybe even touch a few amazing an...
05/27/2026

Mark your calendars! Meet incredible aquarium friends, learn facinating fun facts and maybe even touch a few amazing animals! Bring your mom and dad, your aunts and uncles and your best cousins!! Hey, don't forget grandma and gramps!

This Memorial Day, the Missiles and More Museum pauses to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice ...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, the Missiles and More Museum pauses to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation’s freedom.
Topsail Island holds a distinct chapter in American military history. From the pioneering Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) to the groundbreaking rocket testing of Operation Bumblebee and the development of the Talos missile, our shores are built on service and innovation.
📍 Holiday Hours Reminder:The museum is CLOSED today (Monday) so our volunteers can honor the day with their families. We invite you to visit us during our regular weekly hours to explore these incredible artifacts in person!
Where: 720 Channel Blvd, Topsail Beach, NC
Admission: Free (Donations welcome!)
Have a safe, meaningful, and peaceful Memorial Day.

🚀 Lorraine Makey is the new Manager of the Missiles & More Museum. With more than ten years of community experience and...
05/25/2026

🚀 Lorraine Makey is the new Manager of the Missiles & More Museum. With more than ten years of community experience and three years at the museum, she is dedicated to preserving history. A history enthusiast, avid reader, and sunshine seeker, Lorraine enjoys uncovering stories from the past and finding adventure in the present. Her love of history inspires her to connect the past to the present and keep those stories alive.

Memorial Weekend views just hit different 🇺🇸✨Nothing beats seeing the beauty of the Topsail Island water channel from ab...
05/24/2026

Memorial Weekend views just hit different 🇺🇸✨
Nothing beats seeing the beauty of the Topsail Island water channel from above. Grateful for these coastal moments, salty air, and peaceful backyard sunsets. Wishing everyone a safe and beautiful Memorial Day weekend! 🌊☀️

Now accepting reservations for 2026 & 2027! Our calendar is filling quickly—contact us today to schedule your site visit...
05/23/2026

Now accepting reservations for 2026 & 2027! Our calendar is filling quickly—contact us today to schedule your site visit and experience the newly renovated Assembly Building.

05/21/2026

Join us for Thursday night Bingo all summer long!
June 4-August 20 Doors open at 5:45

05/18/2026

Art and Architecture During the Revolutionary War | Jodi ArtmanWhat a delight! Jodi brought art to life!
05/14/2026

Art and Architecture During the Revolutionary War | Jodi Artman
What a delight! Jodi brought art to life!

Address

720 Channel Boulevard
Topsail Beach, NC
28445

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 2pm
Thursday 10am - 2pm
Friday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+19103288663

Website

https://topsailislandevents.com/, https://autumnwithtopsail.com/, https://missiles

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