Outer Banks History, Arts & Culture
The Outer Banks offer a diverse assortment of historic sites, cultural events and sightseeing tours. Popular family attractions include the North Carolina Aquarium and Roanoke Island Festival Park, which depicts colonial life through a series of living history exhibits. |
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Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park (back to the top) Built in the 1920's, the incredible residence of Mr.. & Mrs.. E. C. Knight, Jr. is restored and open for tours year-round from 9 am to 5 pm; no reservation required. See Tiffany Light fixtures accenting many unique custom architectural features and furnishings. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the grounds are now Currituck Heritage Park offering water access to Currituck Sound and 29 acres of open lawns for family enjoyment. Located in the village of Corolla, NC, this was the winter residence of Edward Collings Knight, Jr. and his wife Marie Louise. Subsequent years saw its use by the U.S. Coast Guard, Corolla Academy and Atlantic Research Corporation. Open for tours year round 10am-5:30pm Apr.-Oct., and 9am-4:30pm Nov.-Mar. Special tours by reservation only: Children’s Tour & Treasure Hunt, Behind the Scenes and Ghost Tour.
Contact Information: (252) 453-9040 or info@whaleheadclub.com |
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The Monument to a Century of Flight (back to the top) Created and dedicated during the First Flight Centennial in 2003, the monument depicts the human odyssey of flight in a single century from earthbound into the mysteries of space. Its fourteen stainless steel, wing shaped pylons ascend in height from 10 to 20 feet and are organized in an orbit of 120 feet, symbolic of the length of the Wright Brothers' first historic flight. Black granite panels chronicle one hundred of the most significant events in aviations first century. Free Admission. |
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Wright Brothers National Memorial (back to the top) Site of the world's first controlled powered flight on December 17, 1903. The Visitor Center features full-scale reproductions of the Wright 1903 Powered Flyer and interpretive presentations. A pavilion boasts an exhibit hall with special exhibits, including a replica of the 1902 Wright Glider and a multipurpose auditorium. Location: Milepost 8, Kill Devil Hills |
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The Elizabethan Gardens (back to the top) This 16th century pleasure garden was created by The Garden Club of North Carolina as a living memorial to the lost colonists (as told in The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama). Highlights include the thatched gazebo, Shakespearean herb garden, flower bordered walkways, antique garden statuary and formal sunken gardens. |
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Civil War Trail (back to the top) Winding throughout the Outer Banks through Roanoke Island and Hatteras Island are parts of the Dare County Civil War Trail - a great way to experience a fascinating time in the history of The Outer Banks. |
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Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (back to the top) Sir Walter Raleigh's explorers and colonists attempted to found settlements here on the north end of Roanoke Island in 1585 and 1587. It is home to the Waterside Theatre, where you'll find The Lost Colony, a symphonic outdoor drama. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site encompasses 513 acres, preserving known locations and portions of England’s first attempts at settlement in the New World. Ranger-conducted interpretive programs and activities are offered during the summer months and you'll also find a visitor's center, bookstore, and nature trail. Location: Off Hwy. 64/264, on the north end of Roanoke Island. |
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Roanoke Island Festival Park (back to the top) An interactive family attraction that celebrates the first English settlement in America. The centerpiece of the 25-acre island park adjacent to Manteo, is, Elizabeth II, a representation of one of the seven English ships from the Roanoke Voyage of 1585. Costumed Elizabethan sailors greet visitors and help them experience sixteenth century seafaring life. Also visit the Settlement site, Roanoke Adventure Museum and see "The Legend of Two-Path" film. Location: Across from the Manteo Waterfront and 5 miles from the beaches. |
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The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama (back to the top) America’s #1 outdoor drama is the perfect pinnacle to your Outer Banks experience! See this compelling unsolved mystery of America’s beginnings and other productions at Waterside Theatre in Manteo on Roanoke Island. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green’s The Lost Colony tells the story of the events leading to the disappearance of the English colonists who settled here over 400 years ago. The production features music, dance, drama, riveting action, and special effects with lavish costumes and sets designed by five-time Tony Award-winner William Ivey Long. |
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Wanchese Fishing Village (back to the top) Visit the quaint village of Wanchese (on the south end of Roanoke Island) and watch fresh fish and seafood being packed and shipped around the world.
Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park The only Federal, State and County-financed project devoted entirely to the seafood processing and fishing industries. Where large sport fishing boats and trawlers are built and repaired. Contact Information: (252) 473-5867 |
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Outer Banks History Center (back to the top) Find answers to local trivia questions, explore family history or find images from the past at the Outer Banks History Center, a regional archives and research library administered by the North Carolina State Archives (Department of Cultural Resources). Holdings include books and magazines, thousands of photographs, post cards and maps, personal papers and organizational archives, oral histories and other recordings, and much more. The center will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2009 with a special exhibit in the History Center Gallery and series of programs.
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Airport Museum (back to the top) The Dare County Regional Airport Museum is housed in the west end of the airport terminal building. Models of aircraft that played a part in the history of Dare County aviation are displayed in the lobby. Hours: The museum is open 8:00am - 7:00pm. 7 days a week. Contact Information: |
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The Freedmen's Colony of Roanoke Island (back to the top) The Roanoke Island Freedmen's Colony is recognized as a historic National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site. A marker was erected in 2001 to designate the site of a permanent colony on Roanoke Island between 1862 and 1867. Most of its 3,000 residents had been slaves three years earlier in northeastern North Carolina. |
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Roanoke Island Maritime Center (back to the top) The George Washington Creef working boathouse offers a look at local and regional maritime heritage through displayed watercraft, exhibits, restoration projects, and traditional skills workshops. At the Museum, a North Carolina Shad boat and early commercial fishing exhibit features the 1883 Shad boat Ella View, as well as exhibits on regional boat building. |
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Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station Historic Site (back to the top) Most complete U.S. Lifesaving Station site in the nation, with original station built in 1874 and a second station constructed in 1911. Listen to fantastic stories of the heroic feats of our nation’s first storm warriors. See demonstrations of antique style surf rescue cannon and apparatus. See tribute to America’s only all African- American U.S. Lifesaving Station at Pea Island. Predecessors to modern U.S. Coast Guard. Fantastic architecture. Special summer programs and events for the family. Admission charged. Location: Highway 12 in the village of Rodanthe, on Hatteras Island at the MP 39.5 |
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Frisco Native American Museum and Natural History Center (back to the top) The museum contains a nationally recognized collection of Native American artifacts, exhibits and natural history displays. Galleries filled with native art include information on Native Americans across the United States, as well as artifacts from the first inhabitants of Hatteras Island. Designated as a North Carolina Environmental Education Center and a Historic Albemarle Tour site, the museum also includes a newly opened bird observation room and several acres of nature trails winding through a lush maritime forest. |
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The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum (back to the top) Located in the Village of Hatteras, next to the ferry docks. A unique museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich maritime history of the Outer Banks and the more than 1,500 known ships wrecks off this coast. Visitors can learn what a significant role the Outer Banks has had and continues to play in the course of America’s history, including the Civil War and potholders. See such relics as the “lost lens” from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, a portion of the Engima machine from the German U-85, artifacts from the ghost ship Carroll A.Dee ring.
Location: End of Hwy. 12 in Hatteras Village, next to the Ferry Landing. |
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Ocracoke Island/Village (back to the top) Located at the southernmost tip of North Carolina's Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and boasts almost 16 miles of pristine, undeveloped beaches. Accessible only by ferry, private boat or plane, Ocracoke is an oasis for the family, casual tourist, nature lover, fisherman, or recreational boater.
Ocracoke Legend – Blackbeard the Pirate (back to the top) Ocracoke has spawned many colorful legends. One of the most intriguing is the story of the pirate Blackbeard's last battle. The bloody fight was supposedly waged in Teach's Hole channel near Ocracoke Village. Some historians have cast doubt on this traditional tale, but it certainly makes for an interesting yarn.
Teach’s Hole Blackbeard Exhibit (back to the top) Ahoy maties! This educational exhibit features a life-like recreation of Blackbeard the pirate along with art work, Blackbeard history, weapons, old bottles, pirate treasure, a flag display, ship models, pirate food, video documentaries, and dioramas. The exhibit is open daily and an admission fee is charged. Location: Hwy. 12 at West End Rd., Ocracoke |
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