Dr. Jay Martin, previously with Central Michigan University, has been appointed as the new executive director of the Battleship North Carolina effective May 31.
Martin takes over the role when Capt. Terry Bragg retires June 1, the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources announced this week.
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Bragg has served as executive director since 2009 of the decommissioned World War II battleship, permanently moored as a memorial and state historic site on the Cape Fear River in Wilmington.
“Dr. Martin’s extensive background in maritime history, historic preservation and archaeology will bring an enhanced focus to telling the Battleship’s story for its thousands of annual visitors,” Reid Wilson, the department’s secretary, said in a statement.
Martin is a 40-year veteran of historical endeavors and a specialist in maritime history. He has served as the chief administrator for several museums, and most recently served as director and curator of the Gerald Poor School House Museum under the Central Michigan University Museum of Cultural and Natural History, and director of the museum studies program.
Martin has taught American, maritime, military and public history at various institutions and his specialty in historic preservation and cultural resource management has included the research, restoration, and interpretation of multiple historic ships, overland vehicles, and structures.
He holds a bachelor’s in public history from Western Michigan University along with a master’s in American Studies and a doctorate in history from Bowling Green State University.
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While executive director, Bragg led projects that repaired extensive corrosion damage to the battleship hull, built the cofferdam to ensure continuous hull maintenance, built the public SECU Memorial walkway that encircles the battleship, and started the Living with Water project to counter the effects of climate change.
“We thank Captain Bragg for his service to the Battleship for the past 15 years, and we wish him well in his retirement,” Wilson said.
