The 183-ton brig was built in Hyde County. The 81-foot vessel sailed to the West Indies and the Mediterranean.
Courtesy Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts
Our Story: Life in the Albemarle
The Albemarle represents a unique place— half land, half water. The story of this place comes alive in Our Story, a tale of how our communities have adapted to the challenges and opportunities of our unusual home.
Our Story: Audio Tour
Virtual tour provides in-depth overview of the region and its progression through various eras of transportation. Now available in English and Spanish.
North Carolina Shad Boat
The official State Historical Boat of North Carolina was first built in the early 1880s by George Washington Creef of Roanoke Island. The shad boat on display here at MOA was constructed in 1904 by renowned boat builder and decoy carver Alvirah Wright.
High on the Hog
Hogs have found their way into our lives and culture, playing a significant role for families in northeastern North Carolina. This exhibit looks at how pigs have become a part of our family, home, and livelihood.
Women Breaking Barriers in Northeastern North Carolina
(Closes October 15, 2022)
Highlights women from across northeastern North Carolina who broke barriers in areas such as women’s rights, activism, public service, journalism, literature, entertainment, medicine, academics, and entrepreneurship.
Guardians of the Land: Discovering Indigenous Americans
A children’s exhibit that focuses on the regional tribes of northeastern North Carolina.
Reliving the 1970s: Toy Edition
This small case display highlights toys produced in the 1970s.
Crossroads: Change in Rural America (opens January 24, 2023)
Traveling exhibit from the North Carolina Humanities and Smithsonian Institution
Traveling Exhibition Service examines the evolving landscape of rural America.
Gordon Soybean Harvester (Closes October 14, 2022)
Lobby display of the implement developed by local inventor LeRoy S. Gordon in 1920.
Rock of the Eye: Boatbuilding Traditions Around the Albemarle Sound (opens October 10, 2022)
Exhibition highlighting boatbuilding traditions and the crafters who helped shape the Albemarle region.
Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence
Smithsonian poster display exploring the complexity of the women’s suffrage movement and the relevance of this history to Americans’ lives today.
Working Birds: Decoys and Their Carvers (opens November 3, 2022)
Lobby exhibit showcasing over 40 decoys from the Museum’s collection.
Museum of the Albemarle
501 South Water Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 (252) 335-1453
MuseumOfTheAlbemarle.com
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Free admission
Museum Hours
Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Museum Gift Shop
Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Roy A. Cooper, Governor
Mark Robinson, Lieutenant Governor
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Reid Wilson, Secretary
Office of Archives and History
Darin Waters, Deputy Secretary
Division of State History Museums
North Carolina Museum of History
Kenneth B. Howard, Director
The Museum of the Albemarle is a part of the Division of State History Museums.
Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle Board Of Directors
Linda Hofler, President
Johnson Biggs, Vice President
Douglas Gardner, Treasurer
Penny Leary-Smith, Secretary
Kim Castle, Dr. Melissa Stuckey, Whitney Young, Bernetta Brown, Kim Baumbaugh, Corrina Ruffieux,
M. Sgt. William Hoffman, Katherine Wassink, David Clegg, George Thomas, Josh Bass, Joyce Buffaloe, Sheila Tyler, Geraldine Langford, David Harris, Ella Fields Bunch, Steven Rudey, Johny Hallow, Tess Judge
Don Pendergraft, Ex-Officio
Barbara Putnam, Ex-Officio
Museum of the Albemarle Staff
Don Pendergraft, Director of Regional Museums
Barbara Putnam, Operations Manager
Wayne Mathews, Facilities Manager
Wanda Lassiter, Curator
Lori Meads, Education Curator
Carrie Barker, Collections Specialist
Marjorie Berry, Public Information Specialist
Kathy Bowman, Public Information Specialist
Kelly Boyd, Security/Event Rental Assistant
Rosana Castilho, Event Rental Coordinator
Martine de Lizza, Public Information Specialist
Bobby Elliott, Security/Event Rental Assistant
Matthew Ferrell, Carpenter
Noah Janis, Educator
Andrew Nelson-Redondo, Exhibit/Graphic Designer
Lynette Sawyer, Museum Specialist/AV Technician
William Seymore, Facilities Maintenance
Rebecca Stiles, Administrative Assistant
Mary Temple, Museum Gift Shop
Paul Vincent, Facilities Maintenance
Renee Wood, Public Information Specialist
Amber D. Revels, Copy Editor
Andrew Nelson-Redondo, Exhibit/Graphic Designer
Wanda Lassiter, Lori Meads, Andrew Nelson-Redondo, Wayne Mathews, Don Pendergraft, Barbara Putnam, Rebecca Stiles, Paul Vincent, Alec Widmer
TheGateway is published two times per year by the Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle. Published articles do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources or any other state agency.
Unless noted otherwise, images used are Courtesy the Museum of the Albemarle.
© 2022 by the Museum of the Albemarle
For information on making a contribution to the Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle or to sponsor an issue of The Gateway, call 252-335-1453.
This year the museum celebrates 55 years of serving the Albemarle region as a history and cultural center!
The museum was chartered in 1967. The early founders exemplify the idea that a few people can make a difference for future generations. The founders were from all parts of the Albemarle region and had various backgrounds. They understood the importance of educating children and visitors about the historical and cultural significance of a place described by historians as the melting pot that flavored all of North Carolina. The flow of people migrating from the Virginia colony seeking refuge, living and mixing with Indigenous tribes in “The South Part of Virginia, now the North Part of Carolina,” as found on the Nicholas Comberford map of 1657. The map is displayed in Our Story: Life in the Albemarle. The early founders saw the museum as a place to discuss, debate, and view the American experience in ways to connect this region to the world stage. The museum continues to research, collect, and preserve artifacts from all eras for the education and entertainment of people who seek and are curious about a place that is composed of half land and half water.
The museum serves 13 Counties: Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Northampton, Perquimans, Pasquotank, Tyrrell, and Washington. The museum interprets the history of counties around the Albemarle Sound or connected by waterways in northeastern North Carolina.
What about the “South Part of Virginia,” our cousins? The museum has many visitors from Tidewater and Hampton Roads, Virginia. They come to the museum to understand the relationship between distant cousins, as well as to unwind, relax, and experience the environment as it existed prior to the commercial development of their farmlands and waterways.
The membership and board work to fund the programs, events, and exhibitions. We thank you for your continued support!
The good news is that we recently surpassed the 400-member mark. Please encourage others to join the Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle to continue a tradition of giving and promoting the region.
The annual meeting will be held on Monday, October 10th from 6 to 8 p.m. You’re invited to attend. In this meeting, we will announce and confirm new officers, then we will celebrate the opening of our newest exhibit, Rock of the Eye: Boatbuilding Traditions Around the Albemarle Sound!
Please join us for an evening of refreshments, charcuterie, and fellowship.
See you in the museum, Don
04 | Rock of the Eye: Boatbuilding Traditions Around the Albemarle Sound
09 | Working Birds: Decoys and Their Carvers
10 | MOA is Selected to Host Smithsonian Exhibition!
Conservation
11 | Army Medic Gear: New Acquisition
12 | Vernon Davis
13 | Facility Future Planning for MOA
13 | Staff Updates
14 | Mission Strong as Seasons Change
15 | Lifelines of the Museum
16
Boatbuilders have been constructing vessels to ply the waterways of the Albemarle region for thousands of years. With many traditions passed along by generations before them, these crafters have shaped the Albemarle region into a diverse maritime haven by connecting communities together. Whether building boats for business or recreation, or used as a means to freedom, boatbuilders, along with their vessels and shipyards, have impacted the maritime history of this region.
DOUGH RUNABOUT, ca. 1915
Walter Otis Dough is captured in this photo working on a runabout in Manteo.
Along these waterways, boats began their history. Indigenous Americans were the first boatbuilders. The wooden canoes that they constructed became a means of travel and transport. Regionally built of cypress, pine, or the light and resistant Atlantic white cedar, “juniper,” these vessels could range from 9 to 60 feet in length, depending on the required usage or conditions. Archaeological excavations at Lake Phelps in Washington and Tyrrell Counties have uncovered over 30 canoes dating from 500 BC to the 1400s AD. The significance of boatbuilding to the Indigenous Americans is exemplified through these finds, as they were called “expert watermen.”
Boatbuilders of the Albemarle region have constructed renowned vessels for many uses, both work and pleasure, many by intuition and feeling, the
Employees of Creef Boatworks in Wanchese standing inside a schooner under construction.
, t“Rock of the Eye.” Builders pass along knowledge and technique from one generation to the next: each adding their own unique yet innovative and daring style, making boatbuilding imperative to our culture. Combining traditions with passion, commitment, and technology, boatbuilding has become a respected legacy in northeastern North Carolina.
A few still build their own boats in their backyards, working tirelessly to keep traditions alive. Many coming from long-standing fishing traditions, these boatbuilders take pride in their work as they ensure that the art of boatbuilding continues for future generations. To learn more about boatbuilding traditions please come and view our newest exhibit, Rock of the Eye: Boatbuilding Traditions Around the Albemarle Sound. The exhibit opens October 10 and features graphics and artifacts that exemplify boatbuilding traditions that tie generations and communities together, showcasing the Albemarle region’s strong, diverse maritime heritage.
Regulator Marine Inc. employees working on a 41-foot sportfishing boat.
Courtesy Regulator Marine Inc., Edenton, NC
The shipyard produced 4 harbor tugs, 10 rescue craft, 30 subchasers, and 6 supply boats during World War II. Image shows laborers welding components of a harbor tug.
Courtesy Museum of the Albemarle
This creamware pitcher, dating from 1795–1810, features Shell Castle Island, a lightering and pilot outpost with a lumberyard and ship supply storehouses. Located off Ocracoke Island, the stretch of land was owned by businessman John Gray Blount and ship’s pilot “Governor” John Wallace. Learn more about the importance of Shell Castle Island in our newest exhibit, Rock of the Eye: Boatbuilding Traditions Around the Albemarle Sound.
The pitcher is on loan from the NC Museum of History in Raleigh.
Left: Circa 1929 redhead drake carved by Bob Morse from Church Island. The head was carved by Robert Crain.
Right: Decoy associated with Enoch Fearing (1882–1952) or Fred Fearing (1914–2007) of Elizabeth City. Many Fearing family decoys were used at John Wood Foreman’s hunting compound in Currituck.
when
The art of decoy carving on the North Carolina coast is a tradition that stems from the abundant waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, that flock to this unique geographic area. The industry originally known as market hunting became extremely popular because of the high waterfowl population, and as a result, hunting clubs began popping up all over the coast, providing opportunities for their members to hunt birds. The hunting clubs were significant in the decoy-making industry in several ways. Often the carvers themselves belonged to a club, but even when that was not the case, decoys were purchased from individuals who hand-carved these
works of art.
The art of handcrafting waterfowl decoys is diverse and can be unique depending on the carver’s style. There is
no definite way of carving a decoy, and as a result, even within the Albemarle region, there are numerous carvers who all have personalized the process, making their decoys distinct. Details like size, body shape, head shape, and color are some of the aspects that can change due to the carver’s artistic decision. To learn more about decoys, visit the exhibit Working Birds: Decoys and Their Carvers at the Museum of the Albemarle, opening November 3.
By Barbara Putnam, Operations Manager
The exhibit, titled Crossroads: Change in Rural America, examines the evolving landscape of rural America. It will be on display January 24–March 8, 2023.
The exhibit offers small towns and rural communities a chance to look at their own paths to highlight the changes that affected their fortunes over the past century. It explores how rural America embraces the notion that its citizens and their cultural uniqueness are important assets. Everyone benefits from rural America’s successes, and we can learn great things from listening to those stories.
“Exhibiting Crossroads: Change in Rural America allows us to reflect on regional history in a place that is half land and half water with a long history of culture,” said Don Pendergraft, Director of Regional Museums. “We are excited to use the exhibit to explore what the future holds for our community. With support from North Carolina Humanities, we are developing our own accompanying regional exhibit to showcase local people and stories. We will also host various programs and events to spark conversations about what makes our community unique and essential.”
The intent is to fuel dialogues about the fastchanging environments of ecosystems, farming, business, recreation, tourism, communities, towns, and education for rural people facing changes of traditional lifestyles. The museum will host forums, speakers, and workshops to discuss these changes as they have formed the past to address the future of the region.
Museum of the Albemarle wishes to thank NC Humanities Council, NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle for their support. We look forward to having citizens and visitors from the many crossroads, communities, and towns throughout the Albemarle region and North Carolina see Crossroads: Change in Rural America at our museum.
The Museum of the Albemarle recently received a donation of US Army Reservesissued uniforms and supplies from a local retired medic, Dorothy Bellamy. She served in the Reserves from 1969 until her retirement in 1993 and generously offered many items to the museum. MOA will present the collection to the state acquisitions committee for official approval to accept the items into our permanent collection.
Bellamy’s items have been well cared for and are in good condition, which is especially impressive given her exciting stories of training endeavors where she used these items. An interesting item is a first aid kit, which is like a time capsule of 1980s emergency medical preparation. With only a bandage, some gauze, and tape missing, the kit is almost exactly as it originally was issued to Bellamy.
The first aid kit is organized compactly with a helpful inventory list with Army stock numbers and instructions in English and French. The kit was filled “ACCORDING TO UA CODE DECK 7061 AS FURNISHED BY DIRECTORATE OF MEDICAL MATERIEL, DEFENSE PERSONNEL SUPPORT CENTER, DATED 1 JULY 1979.”
Along with simple essentials like bandages and gauze, there are also eye dressings, “ammonia inhalation solution” ampoules, surgical preparation blades, an iodine antibiotic solution, and multiple camouflaged wound dressings.
DISASSEMBLED U.S. ARMY FIRST AID KIT DONATED TO MOA
“According to UA CODE DECK 7061 as furnished by Directorate of Medical Materiel, Defense Personnel Support Center, dated 1 July 1979.”
Boatbuilding is as much an occupation as it is a tradition and part of one’s heritage here in the Albemarle. For generations, local shipwrights have busily crafted their vessels along northeastern North Carolina’s shores. The enduring legacy of this staple maritime industry is kept very much alive today by several workshops and commercial operations dotted throughout our region.
In Dare County, the spirited ingenuity of boatbuilder Vernon Davis exemplifies the rich shipwright trade as practiced on Roanoke Island. Born in Manteo, in 1911, Davis grew to become a third generation boatbuilder. Davis’s great grandfather, George Washington Creef, Sr., is credited with developing the shad boat.
Vernon, along with his brother, Ralph, would come to build runabouts and other racing-type boats. Their innovative, slick fast hull designs won competitions as well as national and international acclaim. In
1963, one of his boats, raced by Elizabeth City local, Frank McNaughton, Jr., set a new speed record of 42.168 miles per hour at the International Cup Regatta that year.
Vernon Davis once said, “Just mention boats and I could go on talking forever.” He remained involved in designing and building boats into his 90s, before passing at the age of 94.
McNaughton’s outboard E-class pleasure craft, built by Davis, set a new speed record at the tenth annual International Cup Regatta in Elizabeth City.
WHITE TAIL (F-64), 1963 Courtesy Museum of the Albemarle and Peggy McNaughtonAsummary of what we expect to happen over the next five years to save energy here at MOA and throughout the Museum of History Division, nine sites have been selected. As you can imagine, many steps need to be implemented. Facilities must collect data from lighting, HVAC, and water usage—just to name a few.
Facilities’ goal is to maintain temperatures, humidity levels, and lighting that meet requirements for any given space. Our thermal envelope is 50,000 sq. ft. so there are many challenges. To verify actual cost, we’ll gather data from three years—utility usage, occupancy, use, schedules, indoor air requirements, lighting level requirements, and prior energy assessments.
It’s with both excitement and sadness that we let our membership know that Charlotte Patterson, our Education Curator since June 30, 2005, retired on December 30, 2021. We held a farewell party, and thanked Charlotte for her years of dedicated service, chock full of free educational programming and community outreach! We sent Charlotte off with the very best wishes for retirement and wished her the best in all of her future endeavors.
We are overwhelmingly excited to announce that Lori Meads, longtime Museum Educator, was officially promoted in May from Educator to Education Curator.
Sadly, we said goodbye to Hayley James, one of our Public Information Specialists. Hayley has taken a new full-time position at a credit union in Charlotte. Hayley was our first Junior Docent and has worked part-time and volunteered for the museum for many years since then.
Alec Widmer left us at the end of July. Alec was our part-time Artifact Collections Assistant. His girlfriend’s internship in Gates County ended, and they both now are pursuing job opportunities in other parts of the state.
We wish both Hayley and Alec all the best as they explore their new job opportunities and geographic locations. We will miss them both.
There are over 1,000 light fixtures in the facility that we plan to change over to next-generation LED technology, creating a system allowing us to control lighting with means other than a typical on/off switch.
We are ahead of the game when it comes to controlling our HVAC System; we already have an automated system. We’ll be evaluating a baseline, updating, and fine-tuning all associated equipment. Some other future projects will include a complete redo of our security camera system, installing automated doors at the front and porch entrances, and replacing the front steps.
All this on top of our daily operations ensures the staff at MOA will be busy for the foreseeable future.
Lastly, we welcomed Kathy Bowman, who filled Hayley’s vacated position as a Public Information Specialist. Kathy is a retired registered nurse, having previously been employed at Albemarle Hospital from 1986 to 2020. She loves history, as well as meeting new people. We welcome Kathy and look forward to working together with her.
Martine de Lizza also joined our team as a Public Information Specialist. Born in France, raised in Italy, Martine studied history and anthropology as an exchange student in England. Immigrating to the United States, she eventually entered government as a civil servant. She worked 31 years at the Pentagon, where she retired as the Chief of Personnel Security and other responsibilities from the Joint Chief of Staff. Honored to serve General Powell as the Chairman, JCS and this country. Martine has two daughters and a granddaughter in Elizabeth city. She has traveled extensively and loves reading and animals.
Lastly, we’re happy to have Renee Wood on-board as a Public Information Specialist. Renee just retired from the United States Coast Guard’s Aviation Logistics Center. She has enjoyed living in Elizabeth City since 1998. Renee enjoys gardening, knitting, and crocheting and is looking forward to doing more traveling.
The seasons seem to change quicker and quicker, and with that, the museum seems to follow the same path with all that is planned.
The museum welcomes back Tot Time on the second Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. starting in September and going through May 2023. Topics will relate to artifacts within the exhibits of the museum and include a storybook and hands-on activity.
History for Lunch will continue the first and third Wednesday of each month at noon in the Gaither Auditorium. If you cannot make the educational program in person, the museum will continue with Zoom and posting videos to view later from the museum’s YouTube channel.
In October, the museum will welcome Joan Maxwell, president of Regulator Marine, to open the museum’s newest exhibit Rock of the Eye: Boatbuilding Traditions Around the Albemarle Sound. She also will be the guest speaker for the Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle’s annual meeting. Following the opening, staff and volunteers will transition quickly as the museum will be the site of the 62nd Albemarle Craftsman’s Fair (October 27-30). Visitors will have the opportunity to visit with some of the craftspeople at work in the Our Story gallery on Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and on Sunday at 1 p.m. for a more in-depth demonstration of their craft.
On November 3, the museum will open Working Birds: Decoys and Their Carvers. Kroghie Andresen, author of Gunnin’ Birds A Comprehensive Guide To The Decoys Of Back Bay, Virginia, and Currituck And Dare County In North Carolina, will be the guest speaker for the opening. He will focus on Sid Daughtridge’s decoy collection, on display. The Carolina Decoy Carvers Association will gather on November 4 for an informative educational program that will include a lunch. Registration is open to the public.
The Designers’ Workshop will return on November 19, 2022. Registered guests can design and construct their own unique no-sew quilted Christmas ornament with instructions from members of the Colonial Quilt Lovers Guild. A light lunch and all supplies are included in the fee.
The museum welcomes the public and scheduled groups to Back to Christmas, 1970s. There will be 1970s games, crafts, music, books, and decorations for all ages to enjoy. Dress in 1970s attire and take a picture in front of the lobby’s Christmas tree decorated in a 1970s theme. The museum welcomes scheduled groups December 1 through 16 and at the Annual Open House, Saturday, December 3.
The Lovin’ Oven will be spreading holiday cheer on Friday, December 2 with freshly baked gingerbread houses ready for individuals of all ages to decorate. Participants can design their own house with a wide variety of candies, cookies, cereals, and surprise finds. Staff does the cleanup, and you go home with a marvelous gingerbread creation to enjoy throughout the season from our Annual Gingerbread Workshop.
The museum will usher in the new year with Crossroads: Change in Rural America, a part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the North Carolina Humanities Council. The exhibit will offer visitors a chance to reflect on how rural America has changed with a focus on northeastern North Carolina and how they view the future. Educational programming currently is being planned to host guest speakers that can enhance the understanding of the past and the present that will create reflection, evaluation, and conversation.
The Museum of the Albemarle has educational programming for all ages, for we are all lifelong learners.
1970s CHRISTMAS CARDMuseum of the Albemarle volunteers, adult and junior, are one word: “AWESOME.” The museum could not do what we do without volunteers. They are all our lifesavers in more ways than they can imagine.
The museum’s docents, and volunteers always have been supportive, but in the last couple of months, they have shown much support by not only volunteering with scheduled school groups, camps, and special programming but with assisting with reception on the first and second floors. They respond to emails for assistance and, at times, stop by to see if they can help. They are quick to adjust and accept changes to make the experience for visitors more enjoyable.
We are excited about the future of our current junior docents. The returning and new junior docents are eager to learn and assist with educational programming. We have had two meetings in person with one more to come before the school year begins. Once school begins, we will meet by Zoom in the evening—so everyone can attend due to
after-school activities—and continue the learning process and training on upcoming programming.
The museum may not have the largest volunteer group around, but our volunteers are “MIGHTY.” We are grateful for each and every one of them no matter if they are visible to the public or behind the scenes.
Thank you to the Museum of the Albemarle adult and junior volunteers for your time, energy, and dedication!
Junior Docents recently attended their first workshop on the history presented in our exhibits and artifact collections of our Indigenous tribes of the Albemarle region. This provides them with material for visitor interactions.
Courtesy Museum of the Albemarle
PAULI MURRAY: IMP, CRUSADER, DUDE, PRIEST
Pauli Murray: Imp, Crusader, Dude, Priest is an exhibit that chronicles the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray as a significant 20th-century human rights activist, educator, lawyer, poet, and Episcopal priest.
and lesser-known topics from our state’s past.
The exhibition features a wide variety of artifacts from the museum’s collection, including several that are rarely displayed.
Visitors also will be able to engage with exhibit content through photo ops, multimedia presentations, games, and other hands-on activities.
Saturday, September 3, 2022
North Carolina A to Z highlights a diverse array of people, places, events, and objects from North Carolina’s history through the lens of an alphabetical framework. It employs artifacts, images, and interactive opportunities to present both familiar
The free exhibition will open Saturday, September 3, 2022.
Saturday, September 3, 2022
7 p.m. via Zoom; Adults only, please.
Speaker: Hunter Ingram, Assistant Museum Director, Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens
Join us for a special History and Highballs as assistant museum director and podcast host Hunter Ingram provides an inside scoop on Wilmington’s oldest historic site, the BurgwinWright House and Gardens, and its thrilling new podcast series, Burgwin-Wright Presents Outlander in the Cape Fear. The podcast uses the beloved book and television series Outlander as a guide to share the colonial history of North Carolina.
Wednesday, September 14, 11 a.m.–noon
Ages 9–12
$5 per child; $3 for MOHA/museum members
For information, call 919-814-7046.
Take a special tour through our new exhibition, North Carolina A to Z, and get ready for some hands-on history fun!
Wednesday, September 14, noon, Daniels Auditorium
Speaker: Dr. Anna Agbe-Davies, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, UNC–Chapel Hill and Co-Director, Institute of African American Research–Student Learning to Advance Truth and Equity (IAAR-SLATE), https://iaar-slate.unc.edu/
Make plans to attend a special History at High Noon as we welcome Dr. Anna AgbeDavies, a historical archaeologist, as she shares her experiences conducting excavations of the Pauli Murray House in Durham.
Saturday, September 17, noon–3 p.m.
All ages are welcome. They’ve crawled through history in our
gardens and farms—myriapods! Visit our booth at BugFest to test your North Carolina buggy history and make a garden craft.
Friday, October 7
6–8:30 p.m.: Pauli Murray: Imp, Crusader, Dude, Priest exhibit and the Museum Shop will be open.
7–8:30 p.m.: Poetry, Prose, and Sermon Night in Daniels Auditorium
Adults only, please. This is a free program; however, please register on Eventbrite.
Don’t miss an especially artistic Museum After Dark as we welcome a lineup of North Carolina written word artists who will share their pieces as part of the Pauli Murray: Imp, Crusader, Dude, Priest exhibition currently on view at the museum. While you’re here, grab a beer or glass of wine from Harlem Brewing Company and check out the exhibit and browse through the Museum Shop—both of which will be open late!
Wednesday, October 12, noon via Zoom
Speaker: Joe Schwarzer, Director, North Carolina Maritime Museum System, Division of State History Museums, North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Join us for an engaging History at High Noon as we welcome Joe Schwarzer, who will give an inside scoop on the Graveyard of the Atlantic, the history of the museum itself, and how this notorious spot off our coast got its infamous title. This presentation is part of the new exhibit North Carolina A to Z programming.
Friday, October 28, 2022
From international superstars, including Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Rosanne Cash, Shania Twain, and Taylor Swift, to contemporary artists, such as Rhiannon Giddens, Rissi Palmer, and Kasey Tyndall, The Power of Women in Country Music, coming to the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh from the GRAMMY Museum® in Los Angeles, highlights the past, present, and future of country music’s greatest female trailblazers. The exhibition opens Friday, October 28, 2022, and will run through Sunday, February 26, 2023. This empowering exhibition will be amplified with a special concert series, author series, family events and activities, and much more!
The Power of Women in Country Music will take visitors on a journey through the history of women in country music, from the early years and post–World War II to the emergence of Nashville as a country music mecca, and to female country artists becoming international pop sensations. The exhibit will feature artifacts or special content from a diverse roster of 70 female country artists.
“I am so inspired by the fearlessness, creativity, and resilience of these artists. Each generation of women in country music has paved the way for the next, and now, they’re headlining festivals, winning GRAMMYs®, and breaking streaming records,” said Kelsey Goelz, the GRAMMY Museum’s associate curator and curator of the exhibit. Tickets for the exhibition will be available by pre-sale to NCMOHA/museum members, with general ticket sales following shortly behind. Stay tuned for sale dates!
Saturday, October 29
The North Carolina Museum of History announces a special concert series in conjunction with the upcoming traveling exhibition The Power of Women in Country Music, coming to us from the GRAMMY Museum® in Los Angeles this fall! The exhibition opens Friday, October 28, 2022, and a kickoff concert celebrating this momentous occasion is scheduled for Saturday, October 29, with North Carolina artists Charly Lowry, Caitlin Cary, and H.C. McEntire enchanting us with voice and prose.
On December 10, Tift Merritt will join the series with original works and covers of the country trailblazers that inspired her. Then, on December 11, Alice Gerrard will join us with special guests for a screening of her biopic, You Gave Me a Song, followed by a short performance and Q&A with the artist. The series is rounded off with Rissi Palmer,
DOLLY PARTON MEMORABILIA
Courtesy GRAMMY Museum®, NC Museum of History
who is featured in the exhibition, performing on Saturday, January 21, 2023 with her dynamic blend of country and R&B/soul. Legendary country artist Jim Lauderdale will emcee the concert series. The North Carolina Museum of History is thrilled to celebrate the state’s musical roots with these exceptional performances. Ticket sales and further details will be available at ncmuseumofhistory.org as they are confirmed.
Wednesday, November 16, 7 p.m., Daniels Auditorium
Speaker: Marissa R. Moss, Award-Winning Freelance Journalist and Author
Take part in the first edition of our author talk series Reading Country: Music and Prose as we welcome Marissa R. Moss, author of HER COUNTRY: How the Women of Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be. Moss will discuss the new book, which explores a full and unbridled inside story of the last 20 years of country music through the lens of Maren Morris, Mickey Guyton, and Kacey Musgraves. The artists reflect on their peers and inspirations, their paths to stardom, and their battles against a deeply embedded boys’ club, as well as their efforts to transform the genre into a more inclusive place for all. Moss’s book can be purchased in the NCMOH Museum Shop and signed by the author at the event’s conclusion. This program is part of the museum’s new exhibit The Power of Women in Country Music, on view through February 26, 2023.
An award-winning journalist, Marissa R. Moss has written about the topic of gender inequality on the country airwaves for outlets like Rolling Stone, NPR, Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, and many more. Moss was the 2018 recipient of the Rolling Stone Chet Flippo Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism and the 2019 Nashville Scene “Best of Nashville” Best Music Reporter. She has been a guest on the TODAY show, Entertainment Tonight, CBS Mornings show, NPR’s Weekend Edition, WPLN station, the Pop Literacy podcast, and more.
Friday, January 13, 2023, 7 p.m., Daniels Auditorium
Speaker: Dr. Francesca T. Royster, Author and Professor of English and Critical Ethnic Studies, DePaul University
Join us for a special edition of our author talk series Reading Country: Music and Prose as we welcome Dr. Francesca Royster, author of Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions. Royster will speak about her new book, which explores how Black musicians have changed the country music landscape and brought light to Black creativity and innovation. Royster’s book can be purchased in the NCMOH Museum Shop and signed by the author at the event’s conclusion. This program is part of the museum’s new exhibit The Power of Women in Country Music, on view through February 26, 2023.
Dr. Francesca T. Royster is a professor of English at DePaul University, author of Sounding Like a No-No: Queer Sounds and Eccentric Acts in the Post-Soul Era and Becoming Cleopatra: The Shifting Image of an Icon, and coeditor of Uncharted Country, a special issue of the Journal of Popular Music Studies on race and country music.
Event:
DNCR Day
September 10, 2022, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Mountain Gateway Museum (MGM) in Old Fort will host representatives of historical, natural, and cultural agencies from across the state on Saturday, September 10, for the western region’s celebration of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ 50th anniversary. The free DNCR Day event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Affiliate Museums
The Town of Old Fort in western North Carolina was already a half-century old when this image of Catawba Avenue was made during the 1920s. The town will celebrate its 150th anniversary, beginning in February 2023, when the Mountain Gateway Museum will launch a year-long photography exhibit showcasing the town’s people, buildings, businesses, and organizations, both past and present.
Courtesy Mountain Gateway Museum, Old Fort, NC
Continuing through September and October at MGM are its Fourth Friday programs, which offer visitors extended hours, educational activities, and entertainment for the entire family, including poetry readings and pumpkin decorating.
October 1, 2022
On October 1, the museum’s grounds will be the site of the Old Fort Ruritan Club’s “October Family Fun Day,” featuring food, inflatables, games, and a Ducky Derby Race.
Saturday, December 3, 2022
MGM will kick off the holiday season with its Annual Wreath-Making Workshop, traditionally held in two sessions on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Saturday, December 3, 2022
The museum’s Christmas Open House and Luminaries Lighting is set for Saturday, December 3, following the Old Fort Christmas Parade.
Holiday wreath makers get into the Christmas spirit at Mountain Gateway Museum’s 2021 wreath-making workshop. The annual event traditionally is held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving on the museum’s front porch.
February 4, 2023
In February 2023, MGM will begin a yearlong celebration of the Town of Old Fort’s 150th Anniversary with the opening of a photography exhibit showcasing the people, buildings, businesses, and organizations that have helped forge the mountain town’s history. The free exhibition will open on February 4, 2023, and run through January 27, 2024. Many programs and events are being planned as part of the celebration.
Program: Book Talk, Wade Sokolosky
October 1, 11 a.m.
Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex presents North Carolina’s Confederate Hospitals, 1861–1863; Vol. 1 by Wade Sokolosky on Saturday, October 1 at 11 a.m.
A book signing will follow the presentation. Free. Books available for purchase.
October 20–22 and 27–28, 6–10 p.m.
* These events are supported by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County in part by contributions from businesses and individuals, and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Matching funds are provided by the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex Foundation, Inc.
September 7–October 2.
A traveling display, featuring pop-up exhibit panels, We Wanted to Fight is part of a joint project of the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the North Carolina Museum of History, Elizabeth City State University School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the State Archives of North Carolina Military Collection in recognition of the African American Military and Veterans Lineage Project.
September 17.
Participate in hands-on activities to learn about life in North Carolina 120 years ago. Free.
For the 10th consecutive year, the museum is partnering with the Gilbert Theater for 30-minute house tours featuring a scripted performance throughout the house. Admission charge. Advance tickets required.
HALLOWEEN REVELS: NIGHT TOURS OF THE 1897 POE HOUSE
Courtesy Museum of the Cape Fear
Event:
Trick or Treat at the 1897 Poe House*
October 29, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Halloween fun for children 12 and under, including a scavenger hunt, carnival games, Halloween dance party, magic tricks, and hayrides. Costumes are encouraged, and children receive a treat bag. Free
Exhibit: Heroes Homecoming: On the Homefront
November 1–20.
The museum is a partner in Fayetteville’s annual Veterans Day Heroes Homecoming celebrations.
Exhibit: Victorian Christmas
December 1, 2022–January 8, 2023.
Museum exhibit connecting to the holiday events at the 1897 Poe House.
Event: Holiday Jubilee at the 1897 Poe House*
December 4, 1–5 p.m.
Enjoy concerts by Fayetteville’s own Coventry Carolers and the Cross Creek Chordsmen on the front porch of the 1897 Poe House. There will be a Poe House open house, cooking on the wood stove, and Santa and Mrs. Claus at the museum. Free.
TRICK OR TREAT AT THE 1897 POE HOUSE
Courtesy Museum of the Cape Fear
HOLIDAY JUBILEE AT THE 1897 POE HOUSE
When you imagine the world as a child, it is with the wonders of myths and legends, along with the possibilities your imagination holds. Few adults are able to retain the freshness of imagination long after the myths and legends have evaporated.
When I met Clarence Sanders in the fall of 1993, it was in the original Museum of the Albemarle on Highway 17 South. I felt like a wayfaring stranger, newly arrived and starting a career as an exhibit designer in the small museum converted from a former North Carolina Highway Patrol Station. We met accidentally; Clarence had dropped into the museum and stopped in the gallery. I assumed he was a visitor and casually approached him with “Welcome to the museum.” He was gazing into a small diorama of early Indigenous hunters engaged with a large tusked, woolly mammoth. His expression was expectant as if the scene was about to commence. I asked if he liked the diorama, artfully designed and made with precision and creative flair in the deadly duel for survival. He replied in an unassuming tone, “Yes, very much so,” then added, “I made it.” I got to know Clarence and called on him for many favors in producing the exhibits through the years. We shared similar backgrounds in sculpture, his in realism and mine in representational sculpture. Our styles were in different disciplines, but the foundations and fundamentals of sculpting are the same.
Clarence had a way of making you feel welcome and was a natural teacher and leader. He talked, and you learned without knowing you had absorbed the knowledge. He was humble and never raised his voice, a calm, insightful, and inquisitive man.
Clarence was one of the early charter members and presidents of the Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle. He used his mind and hands to help build a dream, the Museum of the Albemarle, now celebrating 55 years of collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of the Albemarle region.
Thank you, Clarence, for your imagination and steadfast vision!
Ihave been the president of the Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle (FOMOA) for the last two years. What a two years it has been for all of us! COVID-19 turned our world upside down. Every aspect of our lives was affected: the way we conducted business, interacted with individuals, and lived our daily lives. We all had to rethink how we operated and adapt to new ways of accomplishing our mission.
I am so proud of our staff as they have continued to adapt to new ways to reach the public. When MOA was closed to the public for a portion of 2021, the staff continued the History for Lunch program by going virtual. Also, activity packets were created for children of different ages to help them engage with learning. Parents were able to come by the museum to pick up the packets. The staff continued to work on new exhibits for the future.
In 2022, two new exhibits opened. Guardians of the Land: Discovering Indigenous Americans opened in January. It tells the story of Indigenous Americans of the Albemarle region through artifacts and images. The second exhibit, Rock of the Eye: Boatbuilding Traditions Around the Albemarle Sound, will open the night of FOMOA’s Annual Membership Meeting on October 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. Please mark your calendar to be present for this event. Joan Maxwell of Regulator Marine, Inc. will be the guest speaker.
In June, FOMOA had its first fundraiser in over two years. Night at the Nags Head Casino Dance Party was a great success. Nearly 200 people danced the night away to beach music provided by the band Connected and DJ Mike Thigpen. A silent auction was held as well. An original watercolor painting of the Nags Head Casino by William Hoffman was one of the many items in the auction. I would like to thank the staff and board members who decorated the portico, collected tickets, and tended the bar. Also, a huge thank you to various businesses who helped to sponsor this event.
Summer Fun Days and At the Movies have been added for summer programming. These events are geared to provide activities for children during school break. History for Lunch continues to be a popular event. Speakers’ topics are diverse and promote interest in our regional history. People once again can attend in person as well as virtually. In addition, all History for Lunch programs are recorded and uploaded to the Museum of the Albemarle YouTube channel, so they can be viewed anytime.
During this time, our membership has increased to 400. I would love to see membership climb above the 450-mark before the Annual Membership Meeting in October.
In closing, I would like to thank the current and past members of FOMOA. Without the vision a few people had for a regional museum, we would not be here today. Without the Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle, the work of the museum would be limited. FOMOA provides the funding for the exhibits, free educational programming, and artifact conservation. Due to the stewardship of former and current members of FOMOA, we were able to continue to financially support the Museum of the Albemarle during the last two years of COVID-19 restrictions. Great things are happening at the Museum of the Albemarle. Come join our team!
March 22, 2022 – August 31, 2022
Individual
Grafton Beaman
Margie Berry
Susan Blackmon
Veronica Brentjens
Earnell Brown
Sharon Burtner
Margene Curtice
Gary Dunstan
Dianne Fletcher
Wendy Flores
W. Brian Forehand
Mimi Galgano
Rhonda Gregory
Evelyn Henley
MSG William “Sarge” Hoffman
Betty Ingram
Delsie Jones
JoAnn Jasinski
Joyce Lassiter
Norma Laughmiller
Daniel McAuliffe
Arthur McPherson
Mable Jean Moore
Marvyn Siders
David Seymour
Barbara Snowden
Judy Stallings
Elizabeth Taylor
Phyllis Timmerman
Verna Austin Wall
Peggy West
Emily Jennings White
Family
Bill & Carol Allen
Bill & Chris Barber
Kim & Jack Baumbaugh
Ron & Mary Black
Dr. Glen Bowman
Roy & Joan Daniels
Phil Donahue
Ed & Nancy Eadie
Archer & Janet Farmer
Brenda & Billy Felton
Bobby & Barbara Fitchett
Clay Foreman
Mark & Frances Gass
Norma Hatot-King
Harriett & Tony Hornthal
Carol Jennings
Eddie & Cindy Jennings
Penny Leary-Smith
Joyce & Justina Long
Bill McCrea
Rod & Barbara Mueller
Jack & Sarah Neal
Nancy & John Nicholls
Holly Phelps
Rebecca Phelps
Beverly & Reggie Riddick
Fred & Jan Riley
Bill & Patricia Sterritt
Charlotte Underwood
Faye Ellen Weatherly
Craig Winslow
Patron
Gretchen Blacksmith
Phyllis Bosomworth & Jim Watson
Dewey & Pat Burgess
Lee Culpepper
Sharon Greene
Linda Hofler
Alden & Patty Hoggard
David & Jane Harris
Becky Harrell
Doris Hawkins
Ken Howard
Blair & George Jackson
Sam & Janet Jones
Sarah & John Pugh
Mary Ann & Barry Keyes
Jeanie Lefler
Don & Mary Lee Kosik
Joyce Reitz
Julie & Harry Robinson
Corrina & Chris Ruffieux
Anne Sanders
Di Small & Neal Blinken
Bren O’Sullivan & Joe Inqui
Barbara Snowden
Ethen Sutton
Turner Sutton
Wayne & Dee Talley
George & Mary Thomas
Lee & Judy Vassar
Paul & Joyce Wheeler
Sponsor
Al & Min DelGarbino
Kurt & Bobbi Hunsberger
Robert & Elana Muir
Herb & Annette Small
Hilton & Mary Leigh Barrett
Arthur & Patti Bergman
Anna & Bruce Biggs
Karl Brandspigel & Nita Coleman
Geoff & Penny Byrd
George Converse
Carol & Ed Cowell, Jr.
Brenda & Terry Daniels
Sam & Faye Davis
Col. Bill & Susan Davis
Oliver & Linda Etheridge
Joe & Judy Evans
Nancy Ferebee
Jo Ann Foreman
Creig & Karen Foreman
Dr. Linda Fusco
Doug & Diana Gardner
Dorsey Harris
Edwin & Diana D. Hardison
Flint & Janet Harding, Jr.
James & Jackie Hathaway
Dr. Karen Ray & Dr. John Hill
Chad Hull
Russ & Courtney Hull
Maughan & Kay Hull
J. Wilson & Margaret Jones, Jr.
Buddy & Beverly Madrin
Dr. Charles & Brenda Mahaffey
Mark & Lil Maland
Cynthia & Joe Mastro
Michael & Sherri McDaniel
Ed & Claudia Merrell, Jr.
Hunter Foreman Michael
Nancy Bailey Muller
Kirk & Anita Oldham
William Parker, Jr.
Charlotte Patterson
Chris & Whitney Paullet
Dr. Anne Marie Radke
Tapp & Charlie Robinson
Matt & Breanne Scribner
Norman & Susan Scurria
Beverly Small
Mark & Stacy Small
Dr. Benjamin Speller, Jr.
Marvin Stokley
Jim & Jo Thomas
Bob & Judy Thorne
Mary Tirak
Byrum Charitable Trust
Barbara & Leo Wachter
Katherine Wassink
Jimmy & Mary Jo Westbrook
Dian Williams
Individual
Jill Reid
Family
Brenda Hollowell
Freda & Wallace Nelson
Lynn & Russell Scull
Patron
Don & Debbie Cherry
The museum is making great strides to normalize operations after more than two years of the Pandemic. During the previous year the museums’ operations was in recovery mode. The Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle (FOMOA) formed a publicity committee and worked with museum staff to increase public awareness and mission by increasing publicity in all formats, print, radio, and digital. The staff made inroads by inviting the public back into the museum by contactingcivic, school groups, visitors, social/educational events via advertising and public announcements.
This promotions effort has and continues to be successful. The museum experienced the greatest numbers of summertime visitors in the 55 years of the museum’s existence. We adopted a new slogan in promoting our mission, Experience, Engage, and Explore! It’s exciting to see the numbers of families from across the region, state and nation who visited and gave high praise of their time in the museum. We have a new education chief; Lori Meads, who formed an audience that attends the History for Lunch sessions. These will continue on selected Wednesdays, please join us. We are excited to have a vibrant and engaged group of volunteers, who are presenting positive impacts on visitor experiences. The museum’s educational, and reception staff are ready to serve and help make your visit more enjoyable. The museum’s collection/exhibits departments are assembling new exhibits. We open Rock of the Eye: Boatbuilding Around the Albemarle Sound on Monday, October 10, from 6-8pm with
a reception of light refreshments and charcuterie. Please make plans to join us as guest speaker, Joan Maxwell of Regulator Marine gives a brief history of the evolution of modern boats. On November 3rd, an exhibit of decoys carved by regional artisans, Working Birds: Decoys and Their Carvers featuring over 40 recently acquired decoys will open. In January a Smithsonian Museum Traveling ExhibitCrossroads: Change in Rural America will open in the McPherson Gallery. This exhibit poses questions about the future of rural places like the Albemarle region with strong agricultural, tourism, service/ military organizations and environmental issues. We are planning forums of leaders, planners, government officials, environmentalists, to discuss future plans to benefit the and keep the region vital.
The museum has a great collection of traveling exhibits that can be loaned to schools, civic groups and events. Please inquire for more information. We will help you with arrangements.
The museum staff thanks you for being members and supporting our endeavors. We couldn’t do it without a strong group of community-minded supporters.
Please come and visit the museum and see the many new exhibits on display. We have offerings for all ages and continue to be a great place to learn as you enjoy the museum. We are open Monday – Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Number (#) of months from July 2021 – June 2022
75 K VISITORS
Have visited our museum exhibitions.
542 K VIEWS
Have seen our traveling exhibitions.
Data from July 2021 – June 2022
20 + COUNTRIES RECORDED
The Museum of the Albemarle wishes to thank our sponsors and community partners. It is only through the generosity of businesses and individuals that the museum is able to continue to offer events that not only serve as fundraisers for the museum, but also allow the museum an opportunity to interpret a portion of our region’s history.
The Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle (FOMOA) is a non-profit support group that seeks to raise awareness and provide funding for exhibits, educational programming, and artifact conservation throughout the 13 county region that we serve. The Counties served are Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties. The Museum of the Albemarle is the recipient of all funds raised.
