Click on the following sections to jump to the specific Museum listings:

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort: June, July, Cinema by the Sea, Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center

North Carolina Museum at Southport: July

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum: Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum calendar

For contact details on each Museum, please see the details under the specific sections.

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort
Many programs and activities require advance registration. Contact the Museum in Beaufort at (252) 728-7317 for information or reservations. Note: Reservations must be made by phone or in person (no reservations by email), due to limits on group sizes. Paid trip fees confirm reservations and are not refundable later than five days before the program, unless the Museum cancels. Members receive quarterly e-mails of the Waterline newsletter and discounts on some programs and in the Museum Store.

- ONGOING -

Watercraft Center Classes
Dates vary, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Boatbuilding Skills Classes are designed for novices and experienced woodworkers; Boat-in-a-Day is for an adult/child team. Classes offered this summer are: Traditional and Contemporary Boatbuilding Carpentry, One-Week Boatbuilding, Boat-in-a-Day, Lofting, Sail Making, and Knotting and Splicing.

Family Sailing
By appointment only
Learn how to sail together 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.  Advance registration required.

Junior Sailing Program
Dates and times vary, June –Aug. (FULL - Registration for 2011 begins in February)
Children have fun while using sailing to learn seamanship, navigation, boating safety and sailing techniques for beginning to advanced sailors. Classes include two-week sessions, one-week sessions and Regatta week.  Advance registration required.

Beaufort Oars
Monday, Wednesday, Friday evenings & Sunday mornings.  Join our community based rowing club, for exercise, competition and fun.

“Science by the Sea” Exhibit
Showing now through Nov. 14, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This exciting temporary exhibit tells the story of our local marine science research community, and highlights the people that have made the labs successful. The exhibit features local research vessels and historic equipment, and a glimpse into a working laboratory.

International Travel Program
Trip departs October 20, 2010
Visit China, Tibet and the Yangtze River this fall. A 19-day excursion with first class accommodations includes Beijing, the Great Wall, a cruise on the Yangtze River and three days in Tibet. $4,895. Members discount $50 per person. Call 252-241-0994 for more information.

-Cinema by the Sea - Beaufort

An outdoor summer film series presented by the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, held at the the Museum's expansion site at Gallant's Channel. 172 West Beaufort Rd. Alternate Saturday nights throughout the summer. $10 per carload (any size vehicle - any number of people), gate #3, $2 per walk-in ticket. No dogs or pets allowed. Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Gates open at 7 p.m.; movie begins at sunset. Refreshments and snacks are available for purchase on site. In the event of inclement weather, the movie will be rescheduled for the following evening. Proceeds support programs at the Museum in Beaufort.

• July 3 - "Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs"
• July 17 - "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"
• July 31 - "Night at the Museum 2: The Smithsonian"
• Aug. 14 - "Monsters vs. Aliens"
• Aug. 28 - "Sherlock Holmes"
• Sept. 11 - "Julie & Julia"

-June - Beaufort

WED. 30 - Discovery Time – “Hoi Toide Brogue” - 3 p.m. These fun and family friendly programs engage visitors on topics of maritime history, culture and the natural environment of coastal North Carolina. Repeat visitors are encouraged because topics change daily. Free.

THURS. 1 - Discovery Time – "Oil Spill and Coastal Marine Environments" - 3 p.m. Museum Educator McClain Musson discusses the current oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico, presenting potential long-term effects on the economy and wildlife.  Take part in an interactive simulation of an oil spill in a marine environment. Free.

SAT. 3 - Cinema by the Sea – “Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” - 7 p.m. A summer outdoor film series at Gallants Channel on alternate Saturdays. Rain dates are the following Sundays. Tickets are available at the gate, $10 per vehicle of any size, $2 per walk-in.

TUES. 6 – Discovery Time – “Pirates of NC” – 3 p.m. A program completely dedicated to NC pirates, specifically the notorious Blackbeard.  Participants of any age can do crafts, and see artifacts from Blackbeard’s flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge. Free.

WED. 7 – Discovery Time – "North Carolina Coastal American Indians - 3 p.m. Learn about our earliest coastal inhabitants as educator McClain Musson speaks about American Indian groups that inhabited the coastal region of North Carolina.  The presentation will include a child-friendly craft. Free.

THURS. 8 – Discovery Time – "David Robert, Armando and La Baula:  The Story of a Boy, a Beach and a Turtle named Bella" - 3 p.m.
North Carolina author, David Robert, reads excerpts from his children’s book about Costa Rican sea turtles, Armando and la Baula.  See images from his first hand experience with sea turtles, and have your copy of the book signed by the author himself. Free.

SAT. 10 -  2nd Saturday: “Summer by the Sea” – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The day kicks off with the annual Great 4th Race, where traditionally rigged sailing craft rally to celebrate the historic voyages that carried news of the signing of the declaration. Cheer on the patriotic sailors at 9 a.m.  Then, at 10 a.m., the Museum highlights coastal summers with displays and vendors.  Local artists, representatives from the large science community and crafters join for this free family event.  The NC Department of Cultural Resources launches this new program series at more than 30 historic sites and museums across the state. The statewide events highlight North Carolina history, heritage, arts and fun. Free.

SAT. 10 & SUN. 11 – Lofting Class – 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Boatbuilding plans usually come as scale drawings and tables of numbers on a few sheets of paper. Lofting is the process of taking that information and using it to produce full-sized drawings for patterns from which a boat can be built. $65 members, $75 non-members. Advance registration required.

TUES. 13 - Discovery Time – “Maritime Myths & Legends” - 3 p.m. Learn more about nautical legends and the mythical sea serpents of the deep.  Free.

WED. 14 – Discovery Time – Sailors’ Valentines – 3 p.m. Learn the history of the beautiful craft of sailor’s valentines.  Make your own shell craft, and bring your favorite small seashells to add a personal touch to your sailor’s valentine. Free.

THURS. 15 – Discovery Time – “Blue Crabs” - 3 p.m. Join Museum staff member Ryan Kelly for a discussion on  blue crabs - North Carolina’s most valuable marine species, the “beautiful swimmer.” Topics discussed include biology, ecology, culture, recreational and commercial harvest of crabs. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort, 252-728-7317.

FRI. 16 - Traditional Boat Handling – 9 a.m.– 1 p.m. Learn handling traits aboard traditional small craft. Reservations $85, $60 members. Reservations required. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317.

SAT. 17 & SUN. 18 - Contemporary Boatbuilding Carpentry – 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. This class teaches skills essential for building round-bottomed boats. $110 members, $135 non-members. Advance registration required. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317.

SAT. 17 - Cinema by the Sea – “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” -  7 p.m. A summer outdoor film series at Gallants Channel on alternate Saturdays. Rain dates are the following Sundays. Tickets are available at the gate, $10 per vehicle of any size – any number of passengers, $2 per walk-in. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort, 252-728-7317.

TUES. 20 – Discovery Time – “Modern Piracy” – 3 p.m. Maritime Curator Paul Fontenoy presents the latest on the current state of piracy in the world. Free. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317.

WED. 21 – Discovery Time –  “Watson Shell Collection” – 3 p.m. Retired research scientist and resident shell expert, Doug Wolfe, presents the history and biology of the popular Watson Shell Collection. View portions of this beautiful and rare international shell collection. Free. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317.

THURS. 22 – Discovery Time – “Bonehenge: The Cape Lookout Sperm Whale Project” – 3 p.m. See the latest updates on the creation of a skeletal display from a sperm whale that stranded at Cape Lookout in 2004.  Free. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317.

SAT. 24 - Crab Cake Cook-off - 6-8 p.m. Taste delicious crab cakes made by guest chefs and vote on your favorite at this fun Museum fundraiser. Space is limited, registration required. $25 members, $50 non-members. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317.

MON. 26 - WED. 28, FRI. 30: Summer Science School – Saltwater Science – 9 a.m. –  noon. Students investigate wildlife and water quality while exploring coastal waters and ecosystems of the Rachel Carson Reserve. $85 per person, advance registration required.  NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317.

TUES. 27 – Discovery Time – “Amazing Shapes in the Ocean Realm” – 3 p.m. Meet a few of Mother Nature's most unusual creatures!  Discover the diversity of design in the extraordinary shapes of marine animals. Free. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317.

WED. 28 – Discovery Time – “Microscopic Marine Life” – 3 p.m. Be surprised and amazed by what swims in a small drop of seawater. Catch a larger than life glimpse of live plankton that inhabit Taylor’s Creek.  Free. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317.

THURS. 29 – Discovery Time – “Saltworks in NC” – 3 p.m. Learn about a small mineral that played a huge role in the politics and military campaigns of the Civil War.  We may just use a dash today, but large quantities were necessary for life in the 1800s. Free. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort, 252-728-7317.

SAT. 31 - Build a Boat in a Day – 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Each adult and child team uses the stitch-and-glue technique to assemble a prepared kit for a small flat-bottomed plywood boat suitable for rowing, paddling or decoration.  $275 per team for members, $300 per team non-members. Advance registration required. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317.

North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport
Many programs and activities require advance registration. Contact the Museum at Southport, (910) 457-0003 for information or reservations.

-July - Southport
THURS. 1 – Myths of Mermaids and Monsters - Hear tales of tails and what sailors thought they saw at sea.  Make a mythological craft, too! 10 -11 a.m. for ages 3-5 (mom and me),  11 a.m. – noon for         ages 6-10. Fee $1 per child. Advance registration required.

TUES. 6 & SAT. 10 – Pirate Boot Camp-Open to children ages 6 to 12. Learn about pirates, create your own flag & costume. On Saturday, in Franklin Park take part in a Pirate Parade and Party. Fees:  $35 members, $40 non-members. Limited to 20 children. Advance registration required.

SAT. 10 – 2nd Saturdays: “The Pirates Have Landed!”  - 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Arrrgh! Thar be pirates in Franklin Square Park! Events and artists will include: Nan Snyder creating pirate portraits onsite, members of the Lumberton Senior Oil Painting and Pottery Classes, Franklin Square Art Gallery displays, Zoell Star glass artist, E J Beach painter, photographer and puppeteer, North Carolina author and re-enactor Captain Timothy Dillinger with storytelling and book signing, face and tattoo painting by local high school students, Brunswick County Master Gardeners native plant clinic, kids’ pirate parade featuring “Stede Bonnet” and games to play! Free.

TUES. 13 – Let’s Get Crabby! -  Learn how to make a crab pot to catch your dinner! Learn where to crab, see how it’s done and how it was done in the past, too!  Ages: 6 -12. Advance registration required.

THURS. 15 – Silver Bells and Cockle Shells - Container gardening seaside style.  Bring an old bucket, shoe, seashell or diving mask, and plant something new inside! Learn a little about historic uses for local plants to boot!  Meet at Franklin Park. 10-11 a.m. for ages 3-5 (mom and me), 11 a.m. –noon for ages 6-10. Fee $1 per child. Advance registration required.

TUES. 20 – Hurricanes for Kids - How these monster storms are formed and see how a Hurricane Chaser does his work, and how meteorologists follow and report the storms.  3-5 p.m. at the Southport Community building.  Ages: 6 -12. Advance registration required.

TUES. 20 – Hurricanes Forum - 7 p.m. This free, public forum is organized by the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport to inform the public of the latest plans and preparations necessary for local safety in the event of an approaching tropical storm. Each participant is allotted 5 minutes to present critical information. The forum finishes with public questions. Free.

WED. 21 – Kids on Deck! River Boat Tour aboard the Solomon T  - (limited to 5 children per trip, ages 8-12) Do science experiments, bird watch at Battery Island and learn the history of the river.  Instructor:  Capt. Bert Felton. $6 per child. Advance registration required.

THURS. 22 – Low Tide River Exploration - Search for seashells, sea glass, pottery shards and learn a little history of Southport and shipwrecks. Meet at Waterfront park pier and wear shoes that can get messy. Ages 6 -12. Advance registration required.

THURS. 29 – The Exciting Life of Sea Turtles  - Learn about sea turtles, their nests and how we can help save these creatures. Instructor:  Donna Michaux.  Ages 6 -12. Advance registration required.

Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center
The Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, located across from the Museum in Beaufort, is open for viewing wooden boat construction and restoration, and ship model building. The 37^th Annual Wooden Boat Show is May 7, 2011.

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 IN BEAUFORT

MUSEUM AND WATERCRAFT CENTER HOURS:
Weekdays: 9 AM-5 PM
Saturdays: 10 AM-5 PM
Sundays: 1 PM-5 PM

ADDRESS:
315 Front Street
Beaufort, NC 28516


E-MAIL: maritime@ncdcr.gov

For information only - Call for reservations

PHONE: 252-728-7317

North Carolina Maritime Museums

Visit the other North Carolina Maritime Museums! For information, contact: