These classes, programs, and events are activities of the Beaufort facility of North Carolina Maritime Museum. Contact the Museum at (252) 728-7317 between 9 AM and 5 PM for information or reservations. Note: Reservations must be made by phone or in person (no reservations by email), due to limits on group sizes.

SPRING CALENDAR 2010

MARCH

4 Thursday Ports & Pilots 
Guided tour of NC State Port at Morehead City. Reservations $10. 10 AM-12 Noon.

10 Wednesday Marine Life Collecting Cruise
Trawl aboard a Duke University research vessel. Reservations $25. 9 AM – 12:30 PM.

11 Thursday Beaufort’s Bottlenose Dolphins
Slide program & display about local dolphins by Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster. 11 AM.

16 Tuesday Feathered Friends of the Crystal Coast
Learn about local birds of the forest, beach, sound, and your backyard with images & a lecture by retired professor Jim Craig. 11 AM.

23 Tuesday “Merry” Time for Tots—“Boats & Boaters”
Preschoolers (ages 2-5) and their caregivers take a unique look at nautical topics & museum artifacts. No cost, reservations required. 9-10 AM.

25 Thursday Surviving the Graveyard of the Atlantic
Lighthouses, light vessels, & lifesavers versus hurricanes, tornadoes & nor’easters. Slides and a lecture by Maritime Curator Paul Fontenoy. 2PM.

26 Friday Traditional Boat Handling
Learn handling traits aboard traditional small craft. Reservations $85, $60 FOM. 9 AM – 1 PM.

27 Saturday Carolina Maritime Model Society
Meeting open to the public. 2 PM. 

27 Saturday Adult Learn to Sail
Sail training aboard stable 17’-19’ sailboats. Reservations $85, $60 FOM. 9 AM – 1 PM.

30 Tuesday Exotic Bird Sanctuary Tour
Guided tour of Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park & Eco-Center in Scotland Neck. Reservations $30. 9 AM – 6 PM.

APRIL

9 Friday Learn to Kayak
Instruction & paddle. Reservations $40, $35 FOM, $10 own kayak. 9 AM – 1 PM.

10 Saturday Nautical Tool & Tag Sale
Sale at Gallants Channel supports museum programs. 7-11 AM.

13 Tuesday “Merry” Time for Tots—“Fish & Fishing”
Preschoolers (ages 2-5) and their caregivers take a unique look at nautical topics & museum artifacts. No cost, reservations required. 9-10 AM.

14 Wednesday Marine Life Collecting Cruise
Trawl aboard a Duke University research vessel. Reservations $25. 9 AM – 12:30 PM.

15 Thursday Coastal Whales in North Carolina
Slides & display about these fascinating and threatened marine mammals by Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster. 11 AM.

16 Friday Traditional Boat Handling
Learn handling traits aboard traditional small craft. Reservations $85, $60 FOM. 9 AM – 1 PM.

17 Saturday Family Day-- Mad Science!
Explore the Science by the Sea exhibit and try some hands-on experiments of your own. No cost, group reservations required. 2-4 PM.

17 Saturday Adult Learn to Sail
Sail training aboard stable 17’-19’ sailboats. Reservations $85, $60 FOM. 9 AM – 1 PM.

21 Wednesday – 25 Sunday Beaufort Wine & Food Weekend
Proceeds benefit the NC Maritime Museum. See Events section for details.

22 Thursday Earth Day Giveaway
Free tips, handouts, and education materials to celebrate the ocean and coastal regions for Earth Day. Group reservations required. 2-5 PM.

24 Saturday Carolina Maritime Model Society
Meeting open to the public, auditorium. 2 PM.

27 Tuesday Heritage Watercraft: The Ancestry & Development of NC’s Sport Fishermen
Archival photos and lecture by Maritime Curator Paul Fontenoy. 2 PM.

30 Friday Watercraft Center Party
Reception kicks off Wooden Boat Show. Tickets $10. 5:30 – 7:00 PM.

MAY

1 Saturday Wooden Boat Show
Exhibition, demonstrations, races & family activities free to the public at the Beaufort waterfront and museum. 10 AM – 4 PM.

1 Saturday Wooden Boat Show Reception
Post-show reception in the Watercraft Center. Tickets $5. 5-7 PM.

1 Saturday Wooden Boat Show Dinner & Awards
Dinner is $18 a ticket the day of the show. 7-9 PM.

2 Sunday Maritime Speaker Series-- Bob Browning
“None Can Be More Vigilant than We Are: The Blockade of Wilmington, NC During the Civil War.” No charge for FOM members, non-members $5. 2 PM.

4 Tuesday “Merry” Time for Tots—“Ocean Animals”
Preschoolers (ages 2-5) and their caregivers take a unique look at nautical topics & museum artifacts. No cost, reservations required. 9-10 AM.

6 Thursday Learn to Kayak
Instruction & paddle. Reservations $40, $35 FOM, $10 own kayak. 9 AM – 1 PM.

11 Tuesday Sea Turtles in North Carolina
Slide program & display about these fascinating and threatened marine reptiles by Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster. 11 AM.

14 Friday Traditional Boat Handling
Learn handling traits aboard traditional small craft. Reservations $85, $60 FOM. 9 AM – 1 PM.

15 Saturday Adult Learn to Sail
Sail training aboard stable 17’-19’ sailboats. Reservations $85, $60 FOM. 9 AM – 1 PM.

20 Thursday Marine Life Collecting Cruise
Trawl aboard a Duke University research vessel. Reservations $25. 9 AM – 12:30 PM.

22 Saturday Carolina Maritime Model Society
Meeting open to the public. 2 PM.

25 Tuesday Shackleford Banks: Horses, Hiking, & History
Experience Outer Banks heritage and wildlife with a visit to the island. Reservations $25. 8:45 AM - 1:30 PM.

27 Thursday Modern Piracy
Lecture on the current state of piracy in the world by Maritime Curator Paul Fontenoy. 2 PM.

31 Monday Maritime Day
Picnic lunch, activities, tours, & boat rides at Gallants Channel are free to the public. Sponsored by the Friends of the Museum. 11 AM – 3 PM.

EXHIBITS

“Three Centuries of Seafaring:  The Maritime Art of Paul Hee” these oil paintings express a luminescent approach found in many of the most desirable 19^th century paintings-a popular genre with today’s collectors. (October 3, 2009 – March 28, 2010)

“Science by the Sea” highlights the achievements of our local marine science research community. Visitors will discover the fields of oceanography, marine mammal biology, marine fisheries, and ecology, and get to know the individuals that made the labs successful. The exhibit features local landmarks dedicated to marine research and a glimpse into a working laboratory. (April 10 – November 14)

EVENTS

“Merry” Time for Tots uses museum artifacts to introduce preschoolers to the nautical world. Children ages 2-5 and their caregivers discover hands-on activities and stories in a setting that only a museum can offer. Choose a session on Boats & Boaters, Fish & Fishing, or Ocean Animals... or attend all three! The programs are free, reservations are required. (Tuesdays, Mar. 23, Apr. 13, May 4, 9-10 AM)

The Nautical Tool & Tag Sale at Gallants Channel supports museum programs. 7-11 AM. Donations being accepted now! Contact the Friends office at 252-728-2762. (Saturday, Apr. 10, 7-11 AM)

“Mad Science!” is the theme for Family Day activities in the museum. Families will explore the exciting new exhibit, Science by the Sea, with hands-on marine science experiments & activities. The event is free, group reservations are required. (Saturday, April 17, 2-4 PM)

The 6^th Annual Beaufort Wine & Food Weekend will benefit the NC Maritime Museum and the Beaufort Historic Association. Great wine plus the food of coastal North Carolina’s finest restaurants create a not-to-be-missed culinary experience. Attend tastings, seminars, dinners, wine and cheese pairings and much more. For event and ticket information visit www.beaufortwineandfood.com, or call 252-728-5225. (Wednesday, April 21 – Sunday, April 25)

The museum’s Annual Wooden Boat Show has celebrated wooden boats and traditional skills since 1975. Free boat rides will be offered all week from 1-4 PM outside the Watercraft Center (April 24-30). At the Boat Show enjoy traditional skills demonstrations & displays, educational activities, historic vessels, nautical crafts, boat models, sailboat races at 11 AM and 3 PM, and sailboat rides from 12-3 PM. Parking at Gallants Channel with free van shuttle 9 AM - 5 PM (Saturday, May 1). Contact the museum for more information, an application to register a boat, or tickets to the party, reception, and awards dinner.

The Friends of the Museum host the Maritime Speaker Series. Bob Browning, US Coast Guard Historian, describes the Union Navy’s efforts to blockade the entrances to the Cape Fear River. There were many factors that made the blockade difficult to enforce, including the weather, the geography, the Confederate defenses, and the types of ships running the blockade. This talk will discuss the blockade of Wilmington, which became the most important Confederate port during the Civil War, describe the difficulties faced by the Union Navy, and the efforts to make the blockade strict. No charge for FOM members, non-members $5. (Sunday, May 2, 2 PM)

The Maritime Day picnic at Gallants Channel features activities, tours, boat rides & lunch. This event is free to the public and sponsored by the Friends of the Museum. (Monday, May 31, 11 AM – 3 PM)

CHILDREN’S SUMMER CLASSES

The Junior Sailing Program uses the fun of sailing to teach seamanship, navigation, boating safety, and sailing techniques for beginning to advanced sailors. Classes include two-week sessions, one-week sessions, and Regatta week. Contact the museum for brochure and application. (June – August)

Summer Science School for Children investigates the coastal environment and NC maritime history. Class topics include pirates, boat models, seashore life, nature photography, fishing, and nautical archaeology. Contact the museum for brochure and application. (June – August)

FAMILY SAILING LESSONS

Learn how to sail as a family aboard traditional sailing skiffs. Instruction is by reservation only, and prices vary by number of people and number of hours on the water. Instruction for groups of 2-6 people, for 2-6 hours. Cost varies. Call 252-728-2762 for details and reservations.

MUSEUM STORE SALES

The Museum Store is offering patrons special spring discounts!

March-- All Jewelry 25% Off

April-- All Books 25% Off

May-- All Clothing, Hats, Afghans, & Tote Bags 25% Off

Stop in the store during museum hours, or visit us online at www.ncmaritimemuseum.com and let us make your shopping easy!

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Museum education programs are offered in NC maritime history and environmental education subjects. Field trips into coastal habitats may involve travel by boat or van, hiking, or wading in shallow water. Field attire includes comfortable clothes and closed-toed wading or hiking shoes (absolutely NO open-toed shoes for safety). For group programs, visit the website at www.ncmaritimemuseum.org/education. Call for details and reservations at 252-728-7317 or
e-mail maritime@ncdcr.gov.

The Cape Lookout Studies Program focuses on coastal marine research, conservation and education related to marine mammals and sea turtles. For information, contact Keith Rittmaster at 252-504-2452 or view www.capelookoutstudies.org.

WATERCRAFT CENTER
The Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, located across from the museum, is open for viewing wooden boat construction and restoration, and ship model building. The 36^th Annual Wooden Boat Show is May 1, 2010.

Boatbuilding Skills Classes are for novices and experienced woodworkers. Boatbuilding Carpentry is a prerequisite for the Boatbuilding classes. Build a Boat in a Day is for an adult/child team working from a pre-cut kit.
Contact the museum for details or view the Watercraft Center brochure.

NORTH CAROLINA MARITIME MUSEUM

BRANCH FACILITIES

Visit the branch museum of the North Carolina Maritime Museum. For information, contact:

Museum Calendars are mailed four times a year. It is museum policy to register participants for programs after the calendars are in the mail. Paid trip fees confirm reservations and are not refundable later than five days before the program, unless the museum cancels. Please call between 8 AM and 5 PM weekdays for reservations for cancellations. No reservations can be taken via e-mail.

Members receive quarterly mailings of the Calendar and the Waterline newsletter and discounts on some programs and in the Museum Store. FOM denotes a discount for Friends of the Museum. Contact the Friends of the Museum to join.