Boat Building Traditions of Currituck County
Maritime Open House
1:00-4:00 pm, September 21st, 2013
UNC Coastal Studies Institute
850 Highway 345, Wanchese, NC
MARITIME HERITAGE OPEN HOUSE ANNOUNCED
The UNC Coastal Studies Institute, in partnership with East Carolina University, Whalehead Preservation Trust and Outer Banks Conservationists, is hosting a Maritime Heritage Open House from 1-4pm on September 21, 2013 at the UNC-CSI campus site located at 850 Highway 345 in Wanchese, NC. Members of the public are invited to tour the facilities at the Coastal Studies Institute while interacting with archaeologists and exploring historic watercraft of Currituck County. UNC-CSI archeologists will highlight the results of ongoing underwater archaeological research at UNC-CSI’s research and education building. Opening remarks begin at 1pm and the event will conclude at 4pm.
The watercraft being presented are part of a maritime heritage-themed field school being hosted from September 9 to October 4 by the Program in Maritime Studies at East Carolina University (ECU) and the Maritime Heritage Program at the UNC Coastal Studies Institute (CSI). This year seventeen students enrolled in the MA in Maritime Studies (Program in Maritime Studies, Dept. History, ECU) in addition to ECU and CSI personnel will focus on two parallel tasks — documenting five historic small watercraft emblematic of the boat building traditions of Currituck County and recording underwater shipwrecks in the near-shore zone.
Additionally, at the Open House, exhibits and displays from a number of local organizations will be featured — including, UNC-CSI research and education programs, the Whalehead Preservation Trust, Outer Banks Conservationists, the Currituck Historical Society, NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum, ECU’s Maritime Studies Association, the North Carolina Maritime History Council, and the North Carolina Maritime Museum System.
The 2013 maritime heritage open house showcases the partnership of three organizations striving to preserve and celebrate the maritime heritage of Currituck County, the Whalehead Preservation Trust (WPT), Outer Banks Conservationists Inc. (OBC), and the UNC-Coastal Studies Institute (UNC-CSI). It is the intention for future open days to highlight research and education initiatives focused on other aspects of North Carolina’s rich maritime heritage.
The following organizations and individuals are owed thanks for their generous donation of time and expertise to the open house and associated field school:
Special thanks to the boat builders of Currituck County and the custodians of these historic resources: Travis Morris, Carl Ross, Wilson Snowden, Levie Bunch, Newton Hampton, Sonny Briggs, Bobby Sulivan, Colin Grandy, Oscar Roberts, Pat O’Neal, J.I. Hayman, Lawson Dowdy, Richard Dowdy, Blanton Saunder, John Guard, Sinclair Lewis, Otis Dough, Wilton Walker, & Horace Bell.
UNC-Coastal Studies Institute: Nancy White, John McCord, David Sybert, Robert McClendon, Corey Adams, Mike Muglia, Marie Magee, Kim Armstrong, Bill Massey, Mike Kelly, J.P. Walsh, Reide Corbett, Andy Keeler, Billy Edge, Lindsay Dubbs, Michael Piehler, & Jonathan Jones.
Program in Maritime Studies, Department of History, East Carolina University: Nathan Richards, David Stewart, Calvin Mires, Bradley Rodgers, Lynn Harris, Karen Underwood, Jeremy Borelli, Ryan Bradley, Kara Fox, Chelsea Freeland, Phil Hartmeyer, Sara Kerfoot, Kelci Martinsen, Alison Miller, Michele Panico, Adam Parker, Julie Powell, Alyssa Reisner, Adam Sassorossi, Emily Steedman, Sonia Valencia, Jeneva Wright & Caitlin Zant.
Diving and Water Safety, Institute for Coastal Science and Policy, East Carolina University: Mark Keusenkothen, Eric Diaddorio & Jason Nunn.
Whalehead Preservation Trust: Ray Meiggs, Ann Sensibaugh, Jill Landen, Jenn Sweigart, Neal Conoley, Jeannie Meiggs & Carolina Gordon.
Outer Banks Conservationists: Meghan Agresto.
Currituck Historical Society: Barbara Snowden.
NOAA’s Monitor Marine Sanctuary: Lauren Heesemann.
Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education: Sharon Meide.
Roanoke Island Maritime Museum: Barry Wickre.
Maritime Studies Association: Allison Miller, Chelsea Freeland, Phil Hartmeyer, Julie Powell, Sara Kerfoot, Will Sassorossi, Emily Steedman, Kara Fox, Alyssa Reisner, Caitlin Zant, Jeneva Wright, Sonia Valencia, Jeremy Borrelli, Kelci Martinsen, Ryan Bradley & Adam Parker
NC Maritime History Council: Paul Fontenoy, Joseph Schwarzer & Barbara Snowden.
NC Maritime Museum System: Joseph Schwarzer, John Hairr, Mary Ellen Riddle, Lori Sanderlin & Paul Fontenoy.
Lost Colony Foundation: Bill Coleman & Terry Fowler.
Wanchese resident: Mark Corbett