CCMH Fellowship 2013

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The 2013 Currituck Maritime Heritage Scholars (Top left, Emily Steedman; Top right, Julie Powell) with Travis Morris.

CURRITUCK COUNTY MARITIME HERITAGE FELLOWSHIP INITIATIVE AND 2013 FELLOWS ANNOUNCED

 Representing the efforts of three organizations striving to preserve and celebrate the maritime heritage of Currituck County, a Currituck County Maritime Heritage (CCMH) Fellowship initiative has been formed.  Currituck County Maritime Heritage Fellowships are presented to assist graduate students engage in Currituck County-based maritime heritage scholarship.  The fellowship initiative represents a collaboration of the Whalehead Trust (WHT), Outer Banks Conservationists Inc. (OBC), and the UNC-Coastal Studies Institute (CSI).

Selected by a panel representing WHT, OBC, and CSI, CCMH fellows receive two months of accommodation in Currituck County as well as a stipend.  While serving as fellows they will prepare and deliver educational programs within the Currituck Heritage Park and Corolla Village from June to August.  During these two months in Currituck County, fellows will also be engaged in independent research contributing to a graduate thesis on a subject related to Currituck County’s rich maritime heritage.  Results of this research will be shared with the Whalehead Preservation Trust, Outer Banks Conservationists Inc., and the UNC-Coastal Studies Institute for integration into future educational programs and exhibits.  Additionally, the CCMH fellows will present the findings of their research at a local community meeting.

The CCMH Fellows for 2013 are Julie Powell and Emily Steedman, two graduate students currently undertaking thesis research at the Program in Maritime Studies, East Carolina University (MA in Maritime Studies):

  • Julie Powell, originally from Tifton, Georgia has completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology at the University of Georgia with a minor in Geology.  Julie will be studying the development of the infrastructure and community surrounding the Currituck Beach Lighthouse through the examination of historical archives and archaeological records.
  • Emily Steedman, a native of Maryland, has completed a Bachelor of Arts in History at Salisbury University.  Emily will be examining the unique history and archaeology of waterfowl hunting in Currituck County; focusing on how changes in the design of watercraft, hunting blinds, and hunting equipment were driven by human and environmental changes.

The 2013 fellowships are dedicated to Mr. Travis Morris for his continuing passion and assistance in preserving the maritime heritage of Currituck County.