History
The Man Behind the Mason Jar
For people who like to dabble in food preservation, Mason jars can be invaluable. The thick glass jars create a tight seal using a unique screw-top lid design. Coming in various sizes and even a wide-mouth version, they solve a lot of food storage issues. As you’ve probably already guessed, the jar was named after a person named Mason. Who was he? Why did he take such an … [Read more...] about The Man Behind the Mason Jar
Historic Old Manteo Candlelight Walking Tour
Travel back in time to the turn-of-the-century Town of Manteo and experience our living history! Join our local guides for an evening stroll through Manteo's charming streets and historical neighborhoods. The tour features a colorful mix of local lore and exciting tales that span over 400 years. Ranging from The Lost Colony, Pirates, the Underground Railroad, the Wright … [Read more...] about Historic Old Manteo Candlelight Walking Tour
Buried On Our Shores – WWII Plane Wreck on Ocean Isle
One day in the spring of 2000, Ocean Isle Beach’s building inspector, Larry Cook, discovered a corroded piece of history and legend that had emerged from the sands of the island’s east end just a few blocks west of The Winds Resort. What he found were the remains of a World War II Navy fighter temporarily exposed by the waves and shifting sands along the beach. “I knew it … [Read more...] about Buried On Our Shores – WWII Plane Wreck on Ocean Isle
What Are “The Dog Days of Summer?”
The “Dog Days” of summer last from July 3 to August 11. What are the Dog Days, exactly? The ancient origins of this common phrase might surprise you. The term “Dog Days” traditionally refers to a period of particularly hot and humid weather occurring during the summer months of July and August in the Northern Hemisphere. In ancient Greece and Rome, the Dog Days were … [Read more...] about What Are “The Dog Days of Summer?”
Wilmington’s Railroad History
The Wilmington and Weldon Railroad: Originally chartered in 1835 as the Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad, the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad name began use in 1855. At the time of its 1840 completion, the line was the longest railroad in the world with 161.5 miles of 4ft 8in gauge track! As a central rail link along the Atlantic Coast, it carried heavy traffic during … [Read more...] about Wilmington’s Railroad History
North Carolina Shipwreck Diving
So many ships went down off the coast of North Carolina throughout history that the Outer Banks earned the nickname “the Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Today, the shipwrecks are far from dead. The waters around them bustle with divers and tiger sharks, while the hulls sway with anemones and coral. History flows through every porthole and runs through every beam, each wreck … [Read more...] about North Carolina Shipwreck Diving
The Story Behind the 4th of July
July 4th calls to mind grilling in the backyard, parades filled with red, white and blue everything, days spent in the sun, and fireworks, but there's much more to the holiday that celebrates America's Independence. When the initial battles of the American Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, many of the colonists were against being entirely separated from British rule. Many … [Read more...] about The Story Behind the 4th of July
Beaufort Historic Homes Tour & More
63rd Annual Old Homes Tour & More JUNE 28-29, 2024 Friday & Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm This annual tour features some of Beaufort’s beautiful private homes, glorious gardens, multiple local churches, and artists’ studios throughout the town, as well as the authentically restored buildings and grounds of the Beaufort Historic Site. Thank you to our dedicated … [Read more...] about Beaufort Historic Homes Tour & More
NC’s Own: James Taylor
Although Singer-songwriter James Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts, he grew up in Carrboro, North Carolina. Taylor's father was a faculty member and then Dean of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in nearby Chapel Hill. Taylor’s childhood home was on Morgan Creek Road in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area. In 2003, a bridge over Morgan Creek was … [Read more...] about NC’s Own: James Taylor
North Carolina’s BBQ History: The Skylight Inn
The history of North Carolina barbecue is nearly as old as the history of North Carolina itself. And you can't talk about North Carolina barbecue without The Skylight Inn. Known to the locals as Pete Jones' BBQ has been cooking whole hogs over wood since 1947. However, Pete’s great-great-grandfather began selling barbecue in Ayden, North Carolina out of the back of a covered … [Read more...] about North Carolina’s BBQ History: The Skylight Inn
Backroads: Olde Church Antiques
It has been there for decades with travelers and locals driving right by Olde Church Antiques on highway 17 in the quaintly named town of Supply, NC. Some of its windows are broken and paint is peeling off its walls. It doesn't face onto Highway 17 like the Hardees and Bogangles across the highway and driving by you would never guess that the old pink church was even still … [Read more...] about Backroads: Olde Church Antiques
The First Charles Town
Everyone knows that Charleston (originally called Charles Town) is in South Carolina right? However, that settlement wasn’t started until 1670 - North Carolina’s Charles Town predates that by almost a decade! In 1662 Englishman William Hilton, exploring on behalf of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, spent considerable time in Carolina, trading with the Cape Fear Indians and … [Read more...] about The First Charles Town
What is the Summer Solstice?
When is the first day of summer and why does it differ each year? Not only does this day mark the beginning of summer here in the United State, but across the globe, different cultures celebrate the solstice with different and interesting traditions for this change of the seasons. The first day of summer arrives with the solstice on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 10:58 a.m. … [Read more...] about What is the Summer Solstice?
The Fort Fisher Hermit
He was known as “The Fort Fisher Hermit” but his real name was Robert E. Harrill (or Robert Harrell). For 17 years he lived beneath the stars, living off of the land and the contributions of the visitors who stopped by to see him. These visitors came by the thousands each year to meet “The Hermit.” A misnomer from almost the beginning, “The Hermit” treated anyone who … [Read more...] about The Fort Fisher Hermit