A Tradition Made of Wood: North Carolina Work Boats

Tuesday, August 21, 7– 9 p.m.

From Core Sounder skiffs to sharpies, learn about traditional wooden boats of the Lower Cape Fear in an upcoming Third Tuesday Program offered by the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport.

As part of the Museum’s free monthly lecture series, the event will be held at the Southport Community Building on Tuesday, Aug. 21, from 7-9 p.m. Local boat builders and boat captains will discuss types of work boats and the men who worked them. Photographs and boatbuilding tools will also be on display.

"For the people living along the coast of North Carolina from the 1700s to the early 1900s, wooden boats played a major role in their lives and livelihood. Many people in the area were fisherman, and boats were essential to their work. In addition, without a substantial network of local roads and bridges, boats were used for transporting goods and supplies, basic transportation, and entertainment,” said guest lecturer Norm Greisen. “The history of North Carolina traditional wooden boats represents a significant component of our heritage."

The Museum will further celebrate the history and heritage of boatbuilding with a Wooden Boat Exhibit, Sept. 26 – 29. The temporary exhibit will feature model boats, old photographs and boat making tools. On the final day, the Museum will take part in the 3rd Annual Southport Wooden Boat Show with a “Build Your Own Boat” tent for children. Both the exhibit and hands-on activity will be free.

Space is limited and registration is recommended. Call the Museum at (910) 457-0003 to register.