Island quilting traditions, canvasback decoy construction, the Civil War on Hatteras Island, children’s crafts, stories by the sea, maritime heritage speakers and even a birthday party for Blackbeard are some of the free activities at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum (www.graveyardoftheatlantic.com) in Hatteras village for this summer.
Every Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., local author and Civil War historian Drew Pullen gives a short overview of the Civil War on Hatteras Island. Be certain to see the related exhibit, “The Civil War on Hatteras Island.”
Each Thursday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. is the time for children’s crafts for ages 3 and up. While younger children can stencil foam flags, older kids can spend their time creating a signal flag bookmark or designing a sailors’ valentine using local sea shells.
From noon until 4 p.m. on Thursday visit with local decoy maker Sam Green as he demonstrates the art of building and painting various canvas-back decoys.
The first and third Wednesday of each month is devoted to island quilting traditions. From 10 a.m. until noon, learn about the history of quilting on the island and talk with local quilters as they demonstrate their work. Don’t miss the quilt display in the lobby.
Children ages 3-5 are in for a special treat on the second Wednesday of each month. From 10:30-11 a.m. Hatteras librarian “Miss Helen” will entertain them with “Children’s Stories by the Sea.” Come hear the amazing and amusing tales of pirates and ships and sea creatures.
The third Tuesday of each month is “Blackbeard’s Birthday Party” from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Blackbeard won’t be there, but children ages 3-10 will receive a special treat and pirate gear.
Cast your vote at the Hatteras Island Methodist Cookbook Challenge on Thursday, July 16, from noon-2 p.m. Two new cookbooks, “Kinnakeet Kitchens,” by St. John’s United Church Women in Avon, and “Keeping the Faith Recipes & Stories of the Windows,” by the Hatteras United Methodist Church family and friends, will offer favorite recipes and tasty samples. It’s a rare opportunity to meet local authors and try real Hatteras cuisine.
North Carolina watercolorist Jim Wordsworth will teach a beginner’s watercolor painting class on Thursday, July 23, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The $25 registration fee includes a painting kit and lunch. There will be an overview of watercolor painting with a focus on good composition and tips to get a painting underway. Wordsworth will present a one-man show from 2:30-4 p.m. Participates must bring a small landscape picture, be age 12 or older, and register with the museum at (252) 986-2995.
The popular Maritime Heritage Speakers Series is on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Topics include pirates, slave ships, wars along our coast, nautical archaeology, the Monitor and songs of the sea. Check out the calendar section of the Web site (www.graveyardoftheatlantic.com) for details.
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, located next to ferry dock in Hatteras, presents the maritime heritage and history of shipwrecks of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. It is part of the Division of State History Museums within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina’s arts, history, and culture.
For more information, call the museum at (252) 986-2995.
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