From the Whalehead Preservation Trust
LOCAL STUDENTS STUDY AT WHALEHEAD
On April 13, 2013 students from across eastern North Carolina were engaged in learning activities at the historic Whalehead and Currituck Heritage Park. Four Currituck High School students were completing Internship training and eighteen graduate students from East Carolina University were conducting on site research. All of the weekend activities revolved around preparation for increased visitation.
In early February, four Currituck High School students were selected to serve as the 2013 interns for the Whalehead and Heritage Park. The students are Jonathan Jackson from Moyock, Heather Lesh from Grandy, Samantha Payne from Grandy and Emma Tate from Coinjock. Students applied for the paid internships in December and after selection in February began a four part training session which concluded April 13. Whalehead interns serve as hosts and hostesses in the restored, 1920s former home of Mr. And Mrs. E.C. Knight, Jr. Additionally, interns serve as ambassadors of Currituck County assisting thousands of summer visitors to Heritage Park. Bill Pfeifer, Training Director for Whalehead and House Manager commented, “This is very bright group of young people, who we are certain will represent Currituck County well.”
On the same weekend, eighteen Maritime Heritage graduate students from East Carolina University were on the premises researching and documenting the boat collection of the Whalehead Preservation Trust. Under the direction of Dr. Lynn Harris, Assistant Professor, Program of Maritime Studies at East Carolina University, the group is exploring all facets of handcrafted vessels from the area, mostly made by local men. These boats provide a window of learning opportunity about the craftsmanship and culture of the people who have lived in the northeastern coastal area. The boat documentation program was also supported by Dr. Nathan Richards, Program Head of Maritime Heritage for the University of North Carolina Coastal Studies Institute. This weekend was an outgrowth of the ongoing partnership between the Whalehead organization and the Coastal Studies Institute. Ray Meiggs, Executive Director of Whalehead commented, “We are so fortunate to have unilateral support of our educational programming here at Whalehead. We are thankful to the many local people who have donated boats to our collection. Equally we sincerely appreciate the work of Drs. Harris and Richards, and the ECU students who are creating documentation which will be turned into educational programming for the public.”
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