Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras, NC
My first visit to the
Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras, North Carolina occurred rather fittingly at the tail end of a nor'easter when the roads of Hatteras Island had finally appeared from beneath the flood waters. The combination weather station/tourist center was open and the ferry to Ocracoke was running and the skies stormy enough, one might think the ship's hull beams, used to create a path on the exterior of the building, may need to be put into service.
Monument to the Maritime Casualties of the Civil War
From the parking lot, you'll begin your education with the monuments to the Maritime Casualties of the American Civil War and the Loss of the USS Monitor. Just a few steps away stands a monument to the Underground Railroad describing the Hotel De Afrique, the first safe haven for African Americans in North Carolina during the Civil War, reprinted from a NY Times article January 29, 1862. On the opposite face of this monument is the description of the Flagship USS Minnesota, showcasing the head of the blockading squadron and the valor of the black gun crew who bombarded Forts Hatteras and Clark from August 28 to 29, 1861.
Which Use Would You Choose For This Boat?
Enter the Museum, free admission with cash donations (or credit card online) gratefully accepted, to the 1854 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Fresnel Lens dominating the entry. Surrounded by lighthouse and island exhibits, you can spend an hour in the lobby alone, but there's more to see. To the right of the entrance, enjoy photographs of the area from award-winning photographers and Facebook followers. Submit your own favorite photo to their
Facebook page and grow the fan base as you return to remember your travels to the Outer Banks.
Or take the time to learn how to tie some nautical knots with their hands-on exhibit. An informative movie about the history of the area on this side of the building is a valuable way to spend your time if you like to hear the stories of locals and ship captains that found their way to this southern portion of the country's first National Seashore.
US Flag with 34 Stars
Cross the lobby to enter the main room for most exhibits, from long boats to two different American flags, each 34 stars as used from 1861 to 1863 with the entry of Kansas until the admission of West Virginia as a state when it separated from Virginia to re-join the Union. At no time did our flag lose stars. Even during the Civil War, the Confederate states remained represented.
The Evolution of Diving
Other exhibits within this museum include the USS Monitor, the Civil War ironclad, the lifesaving at Chicamacomico, the stories of legendary fishermen and Outer Bank residents and the evolution of scuba diving, including the advancement of dive masks.
When War Returns to the Outer Banks, the Citizens Step Up
When the East Coast is threatened by war, the Outer Banks are affected. More stories from the Civil War are found in the museum, but the Revolutionary War is represented as well.
The Storage Area at the Museum Reveals Much More to See ... I Can't Wait!
As you approach the exit, you'll find the legend of Blackbeard, purported to have died on nearby Ocracoke Island, and see the glass wall separating you from the Museum's storage exhibits. I look forward to returning to learn more about the stories they share.
Leaving the museum hall, turn right and make a stop at the Museum's Gift Shop. Pick up a history book about any of the exhibits that piqued your curiosity, lighthouse souvenirs, or locally made jewelry.
Fun in North Carolina Represented
Any questions? Ask the knowledgeable docent of the day at the front desk. You may find yourself spending a very quick hour regaled with local legends.
The Most Recent Victim Washed In From the Ocean
Or, like us, be sent in a treasure hunt of our own … directions to the most recent shipwreck coughed up by the nor-easter. A yet unclassified shipwreck may be a 1900s barge. Will time reveal the Graveyard's secret?
