Coasting

Beaufort Historic Site Tours

The Beaufort Historic Site offers unique tours year-round that allow guests to take a step back in time! Join them for a tour of the historic buildings that date back to the 18th century, visit the Old Burying Ground and learn the tales of the many colorful characters who have been laid to rest there, or hop aboard their Historic English double-decker bus and learn the history of Historic Beaufort. Tours meet at the Beaufort Historic Site Welcome Center! Masks are mandatory and reservations are needed. Be sure to call ahead to ensure the tours are on schedule.

Old Burying Ground Tours

Tickets: $12 for adults & $6 for children

Resting in the shade of majestic live oak trees, the Old Burying Ground holds fascinating stories about Beaufort’s 300-year-old history! Majestic live oak trees enshroud the historic gravesites within this cemetery, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An experienced guide in period dress leads tours through the Old Burying Ground telling tales of its many colorful characters. View a tour video at beauforthistoricsite.org.

Double-Decker Bus Tours

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday @1:30 pm

Tickets: $12 for adults & $6 for children

Hop aboard and see Beaufort’s historic district from atop our 1967 English doubledecker bus! Local narrators tell tales of Beaufort’s rich past of pirates, star-crossed lovers, and Confederate spies. View a tour video at beauforthistoricsite.org.

Historic Buildings Tour

Monday-Saturday, 10am & 2:30pm

Tickets: $12 for adults & $6 for children

All prized for their period collections and furnishings, the homes of history run the gamut from the rustic Leffers Cottage c.1778 and the elaborately furnished Victorian Josiah Bell House c.1825, to the award-winning restoration of the Federal-style John C. Manson House c.1825. The historic buildings include the Carteret County Jail c.1829, the Apothecary Shop and Doctor’s Office c.1857 containing priceless pharmaceutical and medicinal artifacts used in early Beaufort, and the Carteret County Courthouse of 1796, which is the only remaining wood-framed English Circuit courthouse left intact in North Carolina. Each building depicts a different period or aspect of life in historic Beaufort. The Historic Buildings Tour includes three of the buildings given by experienced docents in period dress. View a tour video at beauforthistoricsite.org.

from the editor's desk

What a strange non-summer it has been along the Crystal Coast. All of the elements have been in place - the weather, the visitors who are discovering our slice of heaven and the mosquitoes. Yet so many things were missing - impromptu backyard gatherings, the region's popular organized events, outdoor concerts, family reunions and the wonderful programs offered by our local museums.

While closed to the public, our wonderful museums around the county are all brainstorming ways to continue to focus on their mission and share their message.

On page 10, read about the various programs offered by the Beaufort Historical Association that are still on the calendar. From tours of the Old Burying Ground to zips around town on the bright red double-decker bus that has long been an icon in the Beaufort community, the historical organization continues to share the history of the beautiful seaport village.

That is followed on page 20 by a rundown of the N.C. Maritime Museum's virtual program offerings. The three museums in the Maritime Museum system, are working together to offer an array of educational family programs. Folks can listen to recordings of the site's popular Brown Bag Gam series or purchase lesson bundles focused on maritime history and culture. Geared toward specific age ranges, the plans aren't just for the summer months. In fact they may be great ways to enhance and localize virtual education

as we move into the school year.

The N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, also one of three in the state, is likewise offering virtual programming that allows participants the chance to have a private - distant - encounter with the aquatic life in its care or a behind-the-scenes tour of their conservation efforts.

In all cases, the small fees associated with the programs help sustain these pillars of the community. What has been lost in program fees through the summer months is unimaginable and while it is unknown yet how that will effect our museums moving forward we urge the community to do what they can to help to support their efforts. Virtual program participation and donations will be greatly appreciated. In turn, the amazing year-round activities these site's host will be enjoyed by locals and visitors for years to come!

In a separate note - we welcome the contribution of Mayor John Bordman to our fold. His first column appears on page 43. In office for just a handful of months, Mayor Bordman fills the slot left empty with the passing of Mayor Ken Jones. We are excited to have John continue the tradition of penning an Island Review column and look forward to getting to know him.