Our History
From a collection created for an international exhibition to a thriving maritime museum supported by generations of community members, our history is a story of vision, partnership and a deep connection to North Carolina’s coast.
A Maritime Collection Takes Shape
A collection of fish casts, bird skins, preserved crustacea and historic fishing equipment was assembled for the International Fisheries Exposition in Bergen, Norway. After the exhibition, North Carolina retained the collection, laying the foundation for what would eventually become the North Carolina Maritime Museum.
Early Exhibits on Pivers Island
The collection was displayed at the U.S. Fisheries Laboratory on Pivers Island, where residents and visitors received an early glimpse of North Carolina’s coastal and maritime heritage.
The Hampton Marine Museum
The North Carolina General Assembly officially named the collection the Hampton Marine Museum in honor of Roy Wade Hampton. It was recognized as an extension of the State Museum of Natural History.
A Permanent Presence in Beaufort
The Hampton Marine Museum opened on Turner Street under its own rented roof, establishing a permanent public museum presence in Beaufort.
New Leadership and Vision
Charles McNeill became the Museum’s first full-time salaried curator, marking a pivotal period of growth in exhibitions, programming and community engagement.
A Community Advisory Board Is Formed
Commissioner of Agriculture Graham appointed an Advisory Board of volunteers from a broad range of disciplines and occupations to help plan the Museum’s future. The group also sponsored a monthly lecture series.
The Friends of the Museum Are Established
With the enthusiastic support of Museum staff, the Advisory Board established The Friends of the Museum, North Carolina Maritime Museum, Inc., as a legally incorporated nonprofit organization.
The Friends were created to support the Museum in areas where state resources could not, providing flexibility for programs, fundraising, property acquisition and community partnerships.
Educational Cruises Begin
A donated yacht allowed the Friends to offer cruises on Taylors Creek and surrounding waters, beginning a long tradition of Friends-supported educational programming.
A Permanent Home Becomes Possible
Following the death of Harvey W. Smith, his widow, Evelyn Smith, donated the Front Street property where the Museum now stands. Members of the Friends were instrumental in the successful negotiations that made the donation possible.
Mrs. Smith also offered the Museum significant objects from her husband’s collection of maritime artifacts, ship models and seafaring memorabilia.
The Future Watercraft Center
Evelyn Smith donated the former Paul Motor Company building across from the Museum. The building was adapted for boatbuilding activities and later became the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center.
A Statewide Identity
The General Assembly authorized the name North Carolina Maritime Museum, reflecting the Museum’s statewide responsibility to collect, preserve and interpret North Carolina’s maritime heritage.
The Front Street Museum Opens
The Museum officially opened its permanent waterfront facility on Front Street.
When construction plans were reduced because of budget limitations, community contributions through the Friends funded the auditorium, library fireplace, bookcases, furnishings and other important features.
Harborside Expands Museum Access
The Friends raised $50,000 toward the acquisition of Harborside, a three-story building across from the Museum. The property added office and classroom space along with valuable waterfront access for educational activities.
Cape Lookout Studies Program
Working with Cape Lookout National Seashore, the Museum developed a field station at the former U.S. Coast Guard station on South Core Banks.
Sponsored by the Friends, the Cape Lookout Studies Program offered immersive workshops in dolphin biology, barrier island ecology, sea turtles and coastal natural history.
The Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center Opens
The Watercraft Center opened as a working center for traditional boatbuilding, restoration, ship modeling and maritime craftsmanship. Visitors could watch craftspeople at work and experience maritime traditions firsthand.
Expanding Exhibit Production
The Friends purchased the Campen Road property to provide a permanent off-site carpentry and exhibit fabrication shop. The facility gave Museum staff essential space to construct exhibits and maintain facilities.
The USS Monitor Travels the Region
A grant secured by the Friends funded the Museum’s USS Monitor traveling exhibit.
The exhibition received the Southeastern Museums Conference Curators’ Committee Exhibition Competition Award for Outstanding Achievement and traveled to museums and historic sites throughout the region.
The Junior Sailing Program Is Launched
Friends volunteers created a summer sailing program for young people using seven Optimist Prams built by volunteers in the Watercraft Center.
The Friends have continued to administer and support the program as it has grown to introduce generations of children to sailing, teamwork, confidence and maritime traditions.
Protecting Collections and Historic Vessels
The Friends purchased the Wellons Drive property to provide storage for Museum collections, historic boats, outboard motors, tools, furnishings and maritime artifacts awaiting preservation, restoration or exhibition.
A Vision for Gallants Channel
Museum leaders and the Friends began pursuing the former Smith fish factory property on Gallants Channel. The 36-acre site offered extensive waterfront access and room for future growth.
Gallants Channel Is Secured
The Friends authorized negotiations for the purchase of the Gallants Channel property and supported advocacy efforts that resulted in $3.2 million in state appropriations.
Grants and private contributions helped clean and prepare the former industrial property for Museum programs and future development.
Bringing Blackbeard’s Story to Life
The Friends raised more than $120,000 to construct the original Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge exhibit, featuring hundreds of conserved artifacts.
An additional $50,000 was later raised to expand the exhibition and add a public-facing wet laboratory for conservation and interpretation.
Investing in the Museum’s Future
The Friends contributed $80,000 toward Museum exhibit repairs and installation, installed shade umbrellas on the Harborside Park deck and retired the mortgage on the Campen and Wellons properties.
The Junior Sailing Program served 230 students and received an overall parent rating of 4.87 out of 5.
Honoring the Past. Building the Future.
The Friends continue to preserve North Carolina’s maritime heritage, expand educational opportunities and strengthen the community’s connection to the Museum.
Help Write the Next Chapter