Southport Maritime Museum

A Museum for All Ages

By Beth A. Klahre

Do you know how Southport came to be? What do you know about the pirates of Cape Fear? The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport stands at the confl uence of the Cape Fear River, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Atlantic Ocean on the grounds at Fort Johnson. It’s the perfect place for everyone to fi nd all of these answers. And more.

From its humble beginnings as the Southport Maritime Museum in a small shop on Howe Street to becoming a state agency in 1999, the museum is now a staple of the Cape Fear region. In 2010, the museum moved to Moore Street and offi cially reopened to the public on Independence Day.

Dive into History

An afternoon at the museum is a must for any coastal lover who wants to dive into the fascinating history and culture of this area. The museum has nine to 12 permanent exhibits at any one time as well as temporary travelling exhibits from other museums and the state of North Carolina. The museum also has digital exhibits on the museum website.

A leisurely tour through the museum takes 30 to 45 minutes. Exhibits begin with indigenous mariners and go through present-day Coast Guard. “There is a little bit of everything here,” says Katie Menne, recent curator of education.

Tammy Newton is a museum volunteer who moved to Southport after retirement because of its history. “As a senior, I believe most in my age group have an interest in history and who came before us,” she says.

“Learning is a lifelong experience. The better one knows the remarkable history of the area, the richer the joy of living here becomes,” adds Claire McNaught, volunteer and board member.

Photo by Beth Klahre Volunteers are essential to the Maritime Museum. At right is volunteer Helen Remer, 90, who also attends chair yoga at the Brunswick Center at Southport.

Photos by Beth Klahre The museum can be walked through without reading anything in less than fi ve minutes, but a typical tour takes 30 to 45 minutes. “There is a little bit of everything here,” says Katie Menne, recent curator of education.

Don’t miss the Maritime Museum Gift Shop for intriguing maritime items and books.

Education for Seniors

The museum off ers educational programs targeted for adults. Salty Dog Saturdays occur on the fi rst Saturday of the month from March through October. A seafood meal is prepared as guests listen to a lecture about the recipe while enjoying a bring-your-own beverage. Third Tuesday occurs monthly and teaches a maritimerelated topic.

Spring/Fall into History Trips, off ered twice annually, are day trips within a two-hour drive of Southport. Participants travel in the museum van enjoying lunch along the way. Finally, visitors of all ages – yes, even seniors - can participate in scavenger hunts. “It’s fun because we make it into a competition,” says Newton.

Accessibility

Museum staff ensure the museum is comfortable for everyone. There are semi-guided tours with spoken English, and exhibits off er English and Spanish captions, American

sign language, plus a tactile braille map for those with vision issues. There is a Facebook photo album that shows images of the facility to ease any pre-visit anxiety.

Volunteers of All Ages

According to Kyra McCormick, visitor services and volunteer coordinator, the museum wouldn’t run as effi ciently as it does without volunteers. “Volunteers are the lifeblood of this museum,” she says. Volunteers work at the front desk and gift shop, orient guests to the fl ow of the museum, and answer questions. A volunteer gardening group meets once a month and volunteers help with handiwork.

Volunteers range in age from teens to 90s and many are seniors. “I am 76 and volunteer at the front desk and special events,” McNaught says proudly.

Helene Remer, age 90, volunteers at the museum on Thursday afternoons. Remer also attends chair yoga at the Brunswick Center at Southport. She is a big fan of both.

Newton heard about volunteer opportunities at the museum before she even arrived in Southport. “The only skills required are friendliness and oral communication. Volunteering has provided me the opportunity to learn about Southport history and develop new friendships,” she adds.

The majority of the 12 board of directors are seniors who participate in fundraising, membership, marketing, and facilities improvements. McNaught has been on the board for over fi ve years. “It is a rich and rewarding experience,” she says.

Newton feels that it’s important to a senior’s well-being to build and maintain relationships. “The museum is a wonderful environment for this. And let’s not forget the value a senior brings to the museum and to society—life experiences, knowledge and skills,” says Newton.

Photo by Beth Klahre John Moseley, the new museum manager, says, “Seniors should come to the museum to remember things from days gone by. The history of Lower Cape Fear is fi lled with people making choices that drive events which still shape the area in which we live. We are telling these stories to all ages through our exhibits and activities, to remember the past and share it with others.”

Want to visit?

Hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Go to https:// bit.ly/3WSOSXc.

Interested in volunteering?

Contact Kyra McCormick at 910-477-5151 or email kyra.mccormick@ncdcr.gov or apply at https://bit.ly/3WNPopA