The NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Systems will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and a livestreamed expedition begins next week at the first national marine sanctuary off Cape Hatteras.
culture and history
British, Canadian sailors killed off NC coast to be honored
A scaled-back British Cemetery Ceremony is set go on Friday at 11 a.m. but the location may be decided at the last moment, while the ceremony scheduled for Thursday in Buxton was canceled.
Quiet Washington County rich in coastal NC history
Washington County’s story is one of isolation, success, and an eventual renewal on the banks of the Roanoke River.
Ocracoke’s John Simpson: Keeper of island carving tradition
Simpson is the featured carver at this year’s Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival set for Saturday and president and cofounder of the Ocracoke Island Decoy Carvers Guild.
Fort Fisher improvements, capital campaign on horizon
The $25.5 million project includes a new interpretive center for exhibits that’s nearly three times larger than the 1965 building in use today, as well as a conservation lab for the Underwater Archaeology Branch of the Office of State Archaeology.
Museum honors African American service members
Temporary traveling display “We Wanted to Fight” honors the history of African American military service in North Carolina.
Public to soon see Hatteras museum’s long-stored artifacts
With $4.2 million in the state budget for exhibit space, hundreds of never-seen artifacts at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum will at last be able to be brought out of storage.
Celebrations of science, Earth Day on statewide
The 12th North Carolina Science Festival taking place this month is well underway but there are still plenty of opportunities to learn about science and celebrate Earth Day on the coast.
Explore conservation of Queen Anne’s Revenge
The Queen Anne’s Revenge Conservation Lab in Greenville is hosting its annual open house April 23.
Our coast’s history: From Aguascogoc’s ashes
In 1585, English explorers twice visited a Native American village called Aguascogoc, destroying it on their second stop. Historian David Cecelski traces North Carolina’s coastal tribal legacy.
‘Portsmouth Rises’ theme of island village’s homecoming
A celebration is planned to recognize Portsmouth’s recovery after Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and the cancellation of homecoming in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Bodie Island Lighthouse to open for climbing tours
The climbing season begins April 27 and continues Wednesday-Saturday until early fall.
Historians at OBX event reveal enigmatic Thomas Harriot
He was chosen to be a part of Sir Walter Raleigh’s first expedition, and although little is known about scientist and mathematician Thomas Harriot, his written depictions of the New World say much about the author.
‘Bees and Blooms’ photo exhibit opens at Tryon Palace
The show features large, close-up images of colorful bees and blooms by photographer and beekeeper Deana B. Marion.
Cape Lookout to celebrate International Dark Sky Week
April 22-23 is International Dark Sky Week, and the Cape Lookout National Seashore is celebrating with stargazing at the Harkers Island visitor center and nighttime cruises offered by Island Express Ferry Service.
Third Tuesday talk to explore Cape Fear’s locks and dams
Dana Matics, assistant operations project manager with the Army Corps of Engineers, will give a talk April 19 on “Cape Fear River Locks and Dams: Past, Present, and Future” at the Southport Community Building.
