Welcome! Magazine Vol. III

your guide to the

Heart of the inner banks

It

T

’s a k e FR O n EEe

volume iii

Culture & the Arts

History & Outdoor Fun

Shopping, Dining & More

> Theater Productions > Festivals Abound > Estuarium Promotes Sound

> Walking Tours > Fun On The Water > Explore The Inner Banks

> Shopping The Inner Banks > Golf Directory > Dining Options

Published by Washington Newsmedia, LLC

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Produced by: Washington Newsmedia, LLC W. Ray McKeithan, President 217 N. Market Street Washington, NC 27889 www.wdnweb.com • (252) 946-2144

Publisher W. Ray McKeithan ray.mckeithan@wdnweb.com

WRITERS/CONTRIBUTORS Christ Prokos, Managing Editor Mike Voss Jonathan Clayborne Betty Mitchell Gray Jurgen Boerma Mollie Crawford Kevin Scott Cutler Sara Cowell

Advertising Sales Kay Sharpe Ronnie Daw Cecilia Prokos Linda Evans Amy Whitaker

Production/Ad Design Jenny Baumgardt Amy Whitaker

Distribution Sylvester Rogers

Distribution Partners Washington Tourism Development Authority, Washington Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce and Washington Newsmedia, LLC.

Art Direction Ryan B. Webb, Seven by Design sevenbydesign@mac.com © 2011 • ALL RIGHTS PROTECTED

‘Welcome’ is a publication of, and distributed by, Washington Newsmedia, LLC. The publication is sponsored by the Washington Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce and distributed throughout the year. Additional copies are available, at no charge, at the Chamber of Commerce and at advertiser locations while supplies last. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored for retrieval by any means without written permission from the publisher. The publisher accepts no responsibility for the contents or accuracy of claims in any advertisement in this issue. Washington Newsmedia, LLC is not responsible or liable for any errors, omissions or change in information.

Contents History of Beaufort County Dining & Shopping Festivals Fun on the Water Walking Tour Estuarium Dock & Boating Directory City Map & Directory Aurora Fossil Museum Historic Bath Ferry Information Turnage Theater Golf Course Directory Washington Town Profile Aurora Town Profile Bath Town Profile Belhaven Town Profile Chocowinity Town Profile Pantego Town Profile Washington Park Town Profile

Page 4 Page 6 Page 8 Page 10 Page 14 Page 16 Page 19 Page 20 Page 22 Page 24 Page 27 Page 28 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38

From the publisher I love living here.

Washington, Beaufort County and the entire Pamlico region are all synonyms for “quality of life” in my opinion. Whether you’re visiting for just a few days, or a lifetime — you’ve made a wise choice.

W. Ray McKeithan President & Publisher Washington Newsmedia, LLC

Ask the lifelong residents who proudly proclaim a heritage of adventure, exploration and pirates! Ask retirees who come to enjoy

the abundance of life amid the beauty of the river. They’ll all tell you about a special place where people live and work together in unique, amazing ways.

cosponsored by the Washington Tourism Development Authority, the Washington Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce and Washington Newsmedia, LLC.

This is the place where the Inner Banks and the Outer Banks meld seamlessly together. Life moves slower here, with purpose and wonder.

We hope you’ll find WELCOME! to be a useful resource. Enjoy your time here.

Consider this edition your official guide to the good life! WELCOME! Magazine is

W. Ray McKeithan

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Beaufort County

Shelling of Rebel batteries in Washington, NC on April 16, 1863. (North Carolina Collection, UNC Library in Chapel Hill)

Hoisting of Union Flag at Washington, NC. (North Carolina Collection, UNC Library in Chapel Hill)

Beaufort County, as one of the oldest of North Carolina’s 100 counties, has a longer history than many other counties in the state.

There was a time when there was no Beaufort County, which is named after Henry Somerset, duke of Beaufort. It was first named Pamtecough County in 1705.

Its name was changed to Beaufort County in 1712, according to C. Wingate Reed’s “Beaufort County: Two Centuries of Its History.”

Bath, North Carolina’s oldest town, once was the county seat. Washington now serves as the county seat. Bath became a town on March 8, 1705. Beaufort County was carved, at least in part, from Bath County, established in 1696. Bath County no longer exists.

From the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, Washington became more prominent in

the county, serving as a major riverport where goods were imported and exported.

The settlement that would be called Washington appeared in the 1770s, when James Bonner started a town on his farm, which bordered the Pamlico and Tar rivers, according to the the City of Washington’s website. First called Forks of the Tar, the name was changed in 1776 to Washington in honor of Gen. George Washington, making the Original Washington the first town to be named after the first U.S. president.

Washington played a strategic role during the Revolutionary War. With the ports of Savannah, Ga., Charleston, S.C., and Wilmington under British siege, the Continental Army relied on Washington as a supply port. After the war, the town grew in importance as a commercial and cultural center because of its prized ➤

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A long and varied history

location on navigable waterways, according to the city’s website.

Washington fell to Union troops early during the Civil War, consequently stifling the town’s role in that war.

The Battle of Washington occurred from March 30 to April 19, 1863. It was part of Confederate Lt. Gen. James Longstreet’s campaign in northeastern North Carolina and the Tidewater area of Virginia.

The Union’s Maj. Gen. John Foster was responsible for defending Union garrisons along the coastal areas. Eventually, Foster arrived in Washington and took command of the Union garrison there. To defend the town, he employed three gunboats.

On April 13, Foster left Washington on the USS Escort, which made it past Confederate artillery batteries to drop supplies in Washington. He returned April 19. By the next day, Confederate forces withdrew completely from the area.

At one point during the battle, Foster reportedly said, “If the Confederates want Washington, come and get it.”

The war left Washington devastated. Union forces set fire to naval stores they were forced to leave behind as they vacated Washington under threats from the Confederate Army, according to the city’s website. The fire swept across the town, destroying most of Washington’s early buildings of historical and architectural significance.

An early part of the county’s history could become a key part of its future.

Earlier this year, a movement to determine if land at Bath’s Beasley Point could be connected to a lost Indian village known as Secotan gained momentum.

A partnership of local, state and regional historians, archaeologists, economic developers and others contend Beasley Point is the most likely candidate for the Secotan Indian village. The partnership’s

members believe exploring the land could help solve several mysteries related to the period when the English colonists first discovered Indians in North Carolina’s coastal areas.

Beaufort County’s possible connection to the lost, internationally famous Indian village could be a major tourist draw, according to Brent Lane, director of the University of North Carolina’s Center for Competitive Economies.

The draw could begin if this community’s leaders properly assessed the market for heritage tourism, Lane told a crowd of Beaufort County Committee of 100 guests and members at a lunch meeting earlier this year.

Beaufort County’s economic future, at least part of it, may be determined by its history.

MIKE VOSS

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Dining, shopping experiences abound

Russell’s Men’s Shop, Downtown Washington

Washington’s Harbor District, stretching from the waterfront through the downtown business district, has dining and shopping opportunities equal to those found in other North Carolina coastal communities. In fact, the entire Pamlico region offers limitless options for shopping and unique dining experiences.

From a nationally famous hot dog stand to an upscale restaurant featuring fine Mediterranean cuisine, visitors to downtown Washington can find dining opportunities to fit any taste or budget.

Tasty cuisine can be found outside Washington’s downtown as well. Freshly caught seafood is the highlight of many menu options throughout the area whether you like it fried, sautéed, grilled or blackened.

Those who enjoy outdoor dining overlooking the beautiful Pamlico River, its brick walking path and the numerous motor and sailboats docked there, will find ample opportunity for waterfront dining at several locations.

For a night on the town, visitors may take in a show at the Turnage Theater in downtown Washington and book a table at many of the restaurants nearby.

Italian, Chinese, Greek and Japanese restaurants reflect the heritage of many restaurants’ owners. Good ol’ downhome meals can also be found revealing the character of a region that enjoys its “good eats.”

For a truly casual meal, visitors may stop in at Bill’s Hot Dogs located across from the Civic Center in downtown Washington on Gladden Street. A downtown fixture since 1928, Bill’s Hot Dogs has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide. It’s strictly take-out, so customers may enjoy their hot dogs while sitting at a picnic table or one of the benches overlooking the nearby waterfront.

After enjoying a meal at any area restaurant, visitors may work off those calories with a stroll along the waterfront while visiting all of the welcoming shops and retail stores Beaufort County has to offer. ➤

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Visitors will find shops filled with cutting-edge fashion, whimsical gifts, handcrafted jewelry, Troutman rocking chairs, hunting and fishing gear, nautical goodies, antiques and some of the finest art and pottery to be found on the East Coast.

Many area merchants have been fixtures on the retail scene for generations.

Stewart’s Jewelry Store, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, is owned and operated by the granddaughter of its original owner. Washington’s oldest retail business showcases contemporary and traditional jewelry and an array of tableware.

Other retail establishments occupy many of the renowned historical buildings that dot the region. It is not uncommon to find a business operating in a building on the National Register of Historic Places.

These are just a few of the dining and shopping options the area has to offer. Why not explore for yourself and discover some of your favorites?

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Festivals abound in Beaufort County Beaufort County has plenty of festivals, with most of them taking place along Washington’s waterfront, but not always.

Usually slated for the second weekend in February, the East Coast Wildlife Arts Festival and North Carolina Decoy Carving Championships, organized by the East Carolina Wildfowl Guild, features some of the best when it comes to wildlife artists, decoy carvers and waterfowl-callers. The three-day festival is spread over the city, with festival elements downtown, at the Redmen’s Lodge and Kugler Field, home of the DockDogs contests, a recent addition to the festival.

In April, the Beaufort County Music Festival brings a variety of music genres to downtown Washington. From free outdoor performances to ticketed concerts at the Turnage Theater, the festival adds a melodic atmosphere to downtown Washington.

In May, area residents and visitors alike

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Craig Woolard Band at Summer Fest may get a glimpse of colonial life during Bath Fest. The festival features homes built during Bath’s early days. Bath is North Carolina’s oldest incorporated town. It’s also a town that Blackbeard, the notorious pirate, once called home, according to local lore and some historical evidence.

During the last weekend in May, the Aurora Fossil Festival celebrates the richin-fossil lands around Aurora. Programs about fossils and fossil exhibits are plenty during the festival, anchored around the Aurora Fossil Museum. There’s always

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an opportunity to search for fossils in mounds of fossil-rich earth.

During the second Friday and Saturday in June, Washington’s Summer Festival, which will celebrate its 29th year in 2012, brings its bright lights, festival food and almost-obligatory performance by the Craig Woolard Band, featuring Washington’s own Craig Woolard. The Summer Festival, organized by the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce, attracts thousands daily.

For nearly 70 years, Belhaven has been throwing a Fourth of July celebration matched by few other cities or towns.

The celebration is not limited to just one day. Over several days, beauty pageants, parades, musical entertainment and a fireworks display take place.

Several years ago, after a substantial absence, Washington revived its Fourth of July celebration. The celebration includes musical entertainment, eating contests (from hot dogs to jalapeno ➤

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peppers) and a pyrotechnics presentation over the Pamlico River.

During the last weekend of October, smoke and aromas coming from about two dozen barbecue grills hang over Washington’s waterfront because the Smoke on the Water festival is under way.

The barbecue cooks are competing for pride, prestige and prize money. So are those in the chili-cooking contest.

Once the whole hogs have been judged and the meat chopped, the barbecue is sold to the public, which also may partake of the chili.

The Christmas Flotilla, a floating parade of vessels decorated for the Christmas holiday, takes place on the Pamlico River along the Washington waterfront during the first Saturday evening in December.

Santa joins the parade, always aboard a speedboat.

Whether the weather is sizzling hot or freezing cold, festivals abound throughout Beaufort County.

MIKE VOSS

Blackbeard (Ben Cherry) is always a favorite at Bath Fest

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Just add water Eco-tourism on the Pamlico From spacious mountain views in the west to crystal-clear ocean waters in the east, North Carolina has a variety of eco-friendly destinations for tourists in search of a natural getaway. Visitors are rarely disappointed in their quest for ecoattractions in the Old North State.

With the Pamlico River cutting through Beaufort County, it’s understandable the wet set flocks to Washington for liquid relaxation.

Whether you are looking to hoist the main or drop anchor, boaters need look no further than Carolina Wind Yachting Center at Haven’s Wharf and Beaufort County’s first family of sailing, Norwood.

“We are a family business,” said Jules Norwood, vice-president at Carolina Wind and son of owner/president David Norwood.

“David has been doing charter and boat sales in the area for over 30 years.”

Carolina Wind offers a complete range of boating-related services, everything from new and used boat sales to charters.

Tourists who arrive by water will find boat slips and a mooring field as well as marina services, showers and laundry facilities.

The Carolina Wind charter fleet consists of a Catalina 36, Catalina 42 and a Saga 409.

“The charters are the biggest thing we do,” Jules Norwood said. “A newcomer to town might be interested in anything from an afternoon cruise where the captain takes you out to a weeklong vacation where you take the boat and go to Ocracoke for the week.”

Landlubbers wanting to learn to sail or sailors looking to brush up on their skills can walk next door and visit Capt. Mike Williams at the East Carolina Sailing School. ➤

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East Carolina Sailing School at docks of Haven’s Wharf Williams, a former technology director with the Haywood County School District near Asheville, acquired the sailing school in 2007 and has been teaching the art and science of sailing to students from across the United States ever since.

East Carolina Sailing School is North Carolina’s only sailing school certified by both the American Sailing Association and the United States Sailing Association.

In fact, East Carolina Sailing was named

ASA Outstanding Sailing School for 2010.

The East Carolina Sailing School experience doesn’t end when students return to the dock with their new-found skills. The staff regularly invites students back for dockside socials with other sailors.

“It’s not just learning how to sail but also introducing them to other people on the docks,” Williams said. “They get to talk to them and get their stories so it builds that

clique there.

“They don’t just go away. It’s like a big family that keeps growing.”

As kayaking grows in popularity nationwide, so has the reputation of Beaufort County as a paddling hot spot.

Located at the Haven’s Gardens boat ramp on Runyon Creek, Inner Banks Outfitters is nothing short of kayaking central.

“This particular area draws a lot of kayakers and a lot are not from my shop,” said Inner Banks Outfitters owner Liane Harsh. “There are a lot of places to explore. You can go to Castle Island and hang out. There are a lot of paddle groups who come down and participate and they bring people to town from Rocky Mount, Roanoke and Greenville.”

With nearly 30 kayaks available for rent, Inner Banks Outfitters is truly a one-stop shop for anyone looking to get close to the water. Open year-round, Inner Banks Outfitters also organize kayaking events, called paddles, to help bring people together. One of the more popular paddles is during the full moon.

“The skill levels vary,” Harsh said. “Some have never kayaked before and a majority don’t have a lot of experience but they are willing to take a chance.”

The result is a positive one for all.

“It’s not unusual to see kayaks on cars or on the water,” Harsh added. “It’s a great way to get on the water without buying gas, it’s good exercise or a peaceful experience – whatever outcome you want to achieve.”

Jurgen Boerema & Christ Prokos

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Inner Banks Outfitters at the Haven’s Gardens boat ramp on Runyon Creek

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Walk your way through history

Minor House, Circa late 1800s

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The Historic Walking Tour is an intriguing activity and a great way to learn the layout of Washington’s downtown. The self-guided tour showcases the many historical and architectural gems scattered throughout Washington’s eastern, western and downtown historic districts, and the booklet for the walk details their history.

Because the tour’s route has no set starting point, tourists may begin at any point along the route and see all of the buildings the walk offers. Buildings discovered while taking the tour include churches, shops and private residences. Their dates of establishment range from as late as 1917 to as early as 1780.

On North Bonner Street, worn stone walls and gnarled oaks surround St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Built in the Gothic style of architecture, St. Peter’s sports a beautiful design and a colorful past. The church was first built in 1822, but it burned in 1864 during the War Between the States, or the Civil War. After the war, it was rebuilt over an old

graveyard, and a marker was placed where the church originally stood. The church’s graveyard includes the grave of Col. James Bonner, the founder of Washington, and the Cecil B. DeMille family vault.

Near the church is the Minor House, a prime example of the Queen Anne-style of architecture and Eastlake detailing. Established in the late 1800s, the house features large bay windows, multiple gables and turned porch posts. A semicircular balcony on its second floor has led to speculation the house was built by a shipwright. Opposite the Minor House is the Carolina House.

The Carolina House was built in 1880, and it now serves as a bed and breakfast. The two houses are painted identically in shades of pink, blue and white.

Another building demonstrating the elegant Queen Anne style is the DuMay House on West Main Street. The house is painted in bold maroon and gray colors, and it is surrounded by an old, wrought-iron fence that has protected the house since it was ➤

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built in 1901. In addition to the edgy coloring, there are several hidden panels inside that give the home a hint of mystery.

Down the street from the DuMay House is the Fowle House, which exhibits the Federal style of architecture. Built in 1816, the Fowle House is one of the oldest buildings on the tour, and it has served many different purposes throughout the years. During the War Between the States, it was used as a hospital. Later, during the 1870s, it served as a hotel and a boys’ school. In 1888, Lizzie Tayloe Fowle purchased the house, and it was moved back from the street to where it currently rests.

The tour showcases many other unique buildings, along with some additional historic houses that are not listed in the walk’s booklet. A plaque on each of the houses lists that house’s name and date of establishment.

The history of the buildings on the walking tour can be found in the tour’s booklet, as well as the history of Washington. Booklets may be picked up at the Washington Visitor Center.

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St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Circa 1822 BEAUFORT COUNTY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

BEAU. COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Jay McRoy, Chairman 946-2704 Jerry Langley, Vice Chairman 975-2593 Ed Booth 946-3325 Robert Cayton 322-5236 Stan Deatherage 946-5916 Al Klemm 974-2121 Hood Richardson 975-3067 BEAUFORT COUNTY ADMINISTRATION COUNTY MANAGER 946-0079 COUNTY ATTORNEY Billy Mayo 946-2418 FINANCE OFFICER Jim Chrisman 946-0079 CLERK TO BOARD Sharon Singleton 946-0079 BEAUFORT COUNTY DEPARTMENT HEADS ANIMAL CONTROL Sandy Woolard 946-4517 COOPERATIVE EXT. 946-0111 COUNTY PLANNER 946-7182 ECON. DEVELOP. Tom Thompson 946-3970 ELECTIONS Kellie Hopkins 946-2321 EMERGENCY MGMT. John Pack 946-2046 ENV HEALTH Stacey Harris 946-6048 HEALTH Roxanne Holloman 946-1902 INSPECTIONS 946-7182 BLDGS & GROUNDS Jim Spain 946-9624 REGISTER/DEEDS Jennifer Whitehurst 946-2323 SHERIFF Alan Jordan 946-7111 SHERIFF/CHIEF DEPUTY Harry Meredith 946-7111 SOCIAL SERVICES Sonya Toman 940-6034 SOIL CONSERVATION Ann Williams 946-4989 TAX ASSESSOR Bobby Parker 946-7981 TAX COLLECTOR Bobby Parker 946-2922 VETERANS Karen Melton 946-8016 WATER DEPARTMENT Curtis Jett 975-0720 BEAUFORT COUNTY WEBSITE: www.co.beaufort.nc.us

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When it comes to the North Carolina Estuarium, one question is asked by those unfamiliar with it: what is it?

Well, the short answer is that the Estuarium is a museum and aquarium. It’s much more.

The Estuarium, a Partnership for the Sounds facility, exposes visitors to North Carolina’s estuaries, especially the PamlicoTar River and Pamlico Sound. The Albemarle-Pamlico Estuary is the second-largest estuary in the United States. Only the Chesapeake Bay estuary is larger.

The Estuarium is one of North Carolina’s most-innovative environmental centers, with more than 200 historic and scientific exhibits that provide information about life in and around the estuary. The Estuarium’s purpose is to educate people about “where the rivers meet the sea.”

The Estuarium is among the most-visited sites in Washington and Beaufort County, according to tourism officials.

The Estuarium officially opened in 1998. Since then, its offerings have expanded beyond the introductory video and exhibits. The ever-popular Riving Roving excursions take people, by way of pontoon boat, on trips up and down the Pamlico-Tar River. The River Roving excursions provide a history of Washington, a discourse about the importance of the river to the area and a close look at flora and fauna found in the river or along its shores. Educational programs, ranging from snakes to celestial navigation to hurricanes are offered regularly at low prices, usually $2 to $4 a person.

The Estuarium’s origins go back to the late 1980s, when former Pamlico-Tar River Foundation Director Dave McNaught began promoting Washington as an ideal site ➤

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‘Where the rivers meet the sea’ Estuarium promotes sound environment

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for an educational facility interpreting America’s second-largest estuarine system — the Albemarle-Pamlico.

City, county and business leaders soon embraced this idea, and a community success story began. By the mid-1990s, more than $1 million was raised locally to support construction of the facility, which in turn helped leverage the state funding needed to build a first-class center.

More importantly, Estuarium backers saw that the initiative could be made more durable if they joined with neighboring counties that were trying to establish related environmental-education centers at the same time. This coalition of community interests evolved into the Partnership for the Sounds, which built those centers and has been fostering eco/heritage tourism throughout the Albemarle-Pamlico peninsula since 1994.

Of course, the Estuarium (and the other Partnership facilities) are more than just tourist attractions. They also strive to be integral parts of community life by providing ongoing opportunities for

locals to learn more about the nature and culture of this amazing region.

Thousands of students from across North Carolina have visited the Estuarium as part of their studies ranging from biology to ecology.

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The Estuarium’s interactive exhibits make learning fun and educational.

Read what someone posted about the Estuarium on the TripAdvisor website in June 2008: “An absolute GEM. The interactive water cycle sculpture, donated by the artist, I believe, still has our group of very crusty (curmudgeons) talking and planning repeat visits with kids and grandkids. We were shocked to learn lots of folks in eastern NC were unaware of this absolute treasure. Thanks for the opportunity to share this delightful find.”

Blount Rumley, the Estuarium’s director; Linda Boyer, an environmental educator at the Estuarium; Tom Stroud, deputy director of Partnerships for the Sounds; and Amy Van Staalduinen, Estuarium curator, will be quick to tell anyone that the Estuarium’s volunteer corps makes doing their jobs easier.

Volunteers meet and greet visitors, make reservations for programs and River Roving excursions and serve as captains on the pontoon boat as it makes its River Roving trips.

The Estuarium attracts a little more than 15,000 visitors each year, according to figures provided by the Estuarium.

The North Carolina Estuarium is located at 223 E. Water St. in Washington. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.partnershipforthesounds.org or call 252948-0000.

MIKE VOSS

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DOCK & BOATING DIRECTORY CITY OF WASHINGTON DOCKS Radio Monitoring: VHF 16 Working Radio: VHF 68 Free Radio Check: VHF 27 Email: docks@washingtonnc.gov Train trestle info: 252-975-1017 Marina info: 252-975-9367 (229) Marina hours (in-season): 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Marina hours (off-season): 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Web: www.washingtonncmarina.com

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Aurora Fossil Museum houses history Few first-time visitors might guess this out-of-the-way town of around 600 people harbors millions of years of history in two small buildings.

This condensed fossil record lies preserved in the free-to-the-public Aurora Fossil Museum near the corner of Main and Fourth streets.

The facility is home to everything from the skull of an extinct American lion to the claw and digit of a dinosaur.

This last specimen, found in Mongolia, was donated by Rich Olsen, a former curator of the museum and its current board chairman.

Also on hand are the massive teeth of a long-dead giant white shark.

“This giant shark existed along the world’s coastlines feeding primarily on whales and other sea mammals from about 25 million years ago until its extinction about 2 or 3 million years ago,” reads a sign posted alongside a shark’s tooth ➤

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display. “Based on its huge teeth, scientists estimate its maximum length at 70 (feet).

If correct it would be the largest marine predator that ever lived.”

Whale bones in the Aurora collection include a neck and chest cavity unearthed in South Carolina. These and additional whale fragments on site are thought to be between 8 million and 20 million years old.

A video takes onlookers through a brief retelling of the area’s geologic past, and a jewelry/souvenir counter lets customers look over the treasures they might take home.

Many of the items deposited in the museum originated at the nearby PotashCorp Aurora phosphate mine, which has proved to be a rich source of shells, sharks’ teeth and other finds.

Andrea Stilley is director of the museum.

She confirmed the well-stocked stopover often defies tourists’ expectations.

“They always call us that hidden jewel,” she said, soon adding, “Most people say they are really shocked.”

The museum now averages approximately 24,000 visitors a year, Stilley related.

Attendance had grown for years leading up to the recent recession, but leveled off when the economy declined, she explained.

And though children are frequently attracted to the fossil piles across the street, the museum caters to people of all ages, Stilley said.

“A lot of people say it’s (just) for kids, but it’s not,” she concluded.

The Aurora Fossil Museum is open from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays year-round and from 12:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Sundays from March 1 through Labor Day. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. The museum is located at 400 Main St., Aurora. Self-guided tours of the museum’s two buildings take visitors through the remains

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of ancient sharks, whales, dinosaurs and more. The museum features a fossil pile for visitors young, old and everything in between. The digs are free, and the diggers get to keep what they find. For more information on the exhibits or to get directions to the museum, call 252-322-4238 or visit www.aurorafossilmuseum.com.

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Historic Bath: a glimpse at yesteryear

Joseph Bonner House, 1830

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Visitors to Beaufort County and residents hoping to entertain guests need look no further than the historic town of Bath to find a day’s worth of enjoyment.

“Guests can be entertained without having to leave the county, with different activities,” said Leigh Swain, site manager of the Historic Bath State Historic Site.

“In Bath, folks can enjoy time on the water, have a historic experience and get an old-timey little Coke from Bath General Store or hand-scooped ice cream from the Quarterdeck.”

Swain is particularly proud of all the historic site has to offer. The site is in full operation Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (It is closed for all state holidays), and guided tours of the site’s houses are conducted every hour. Visitors may learn more about the 1751 Palmer-Marsh House and the 1830 Bonner House. The 1790 Van Der Veer House is open throughout the ➤

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day and features exhibits on Bath’s early history and the restoration movement led by Edmund Harding in the 1950s. In addition, the site’s visitor center offers a short film, shown on demand, that traces Bath’s history from the days of Blackbeard, the pirate, through the 20th century, according to Swain.

While not part of the historic site, Bath is also home to North Carolina’s oldest remaining house of worship, the 1734 St. Thomas Episcopal Church. The sanctuary and its surrounding cemetery are open to the public, and visitors are welcome to tour inside, Swain said.

“We offer a free walking tour brochure, too, that has a lot of historic information,” Swain added. “The brochure is available outside the visitor center and also at the state docks, located on Bath Creek near the bridge. The docks offer free space for up to 32 hours for boaters, on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s space for seven or eight boats, depending on their size.”

Souvenir hunters will enjoy browsing through the Historic Bath visitor center’s gift shop. Included in the inventory are books of local interest, Civil War items, personalized glassware, postcards and pirate-related items for children.

Throughout the year, the site hosts a variety of special programs that appeal to folks of all ages. The monthly Historical Film Series offers free movie screenings, and history programs are held the second

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1734 Saturday of each month in the summer.

The site co-hosts, with the Historic Bath Book Club, a series of lectures, while other programs make history appealing to young children. A highlight of the year is the Christmas open house, during which the site’s buildings are dressed inside and out with holiday finery reminiscent of the colonial period.

Bath isn’t just for visitors to Beaufort County, Swain pointed out.

“We like to encourage local residents

to visit the site,” she said. “It’s not just a one-time place to come because we try to offer cultural and community type activities, so people can enjoy the site throughout the year.”

For more about the Historic Bath State Historic Site, call 252-923-3971 or visit www. nchistoricsites.org/bath. The website includes a full listing of upcoming events hosted by Historic Bath.

KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER

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Ferries access coastal treasures Want to get to the beach or explore a lighthouse? There’s one great way to get there — by ferry. Ferries have a long-standing role in North Carolina’s transportation system.

The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division traces its roots to the spring of 1924. That’s when a ferry system was started at Oregon Inlet

by Jack Nelson of Covington. It was shut down because of a lack of users. A tugand-barge conveyance system, started by captain Toby Tillett of Wanchese, replaced it. The tug-and-barge system was soon replaced by a wooden trawlerferry model.

In December 1934, the North Carolina State Highway Commission supported Tillett’s business with subsidies so he could reduce tolls. Later, a fixed reimbursement was put in place, allowing tolls to be discontinued. That system lasted another eight years.

The ferry system continued to grow and change over the years during the 20th century. Some changes included the use of LCUs (landing craft, utility) as ferries.

The first such ferry, named the Governor Umstead, was put into service July 3, 1953.

In 1973, the N.C. Highway Division created a unit to be responsible for all aspects of the state’s ferry system. From

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1998 to 1991, five new ferries were built for the Hatteras Inlet crossing.

Various transportation projects have changed the ferry system over the years.

In 1963, the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge replaced the Oregon Inlet route, which had been in place almost 40 years. The ferry (Governor Cherry) used on that route was moved to the Bogue Sound operation.

The ferry system has been incorporated into North Carolina’s culture.

In October 1994, Jerry Gaskill, director of the N.C. Ferry Division, gained approval from the University of North Carolina’s Board of Governors to decorate the ferries in the school colors of the 16 state-supported universities.

This program was developed to promote education in the state and brighten the appearance of the ferries. The program

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has been a success. Other ferries now display the school colors of some of the largest private universities and colleges in the state.

Currently, the Ferry Division is the second-largest system in the country after Washington state.

In 1999, the Ferry System transported 1,015,030 vehicles and 2,474,686 passengers on seven routes throughout eastern North Carolina. Two Soundclass vessels are under construction. They will work the Swan Quarter-Ocracoke and Cedar-Island-Ocracoke routes. The boats will be delivered in the summers of 2011 and 2012.

Lucy Wallace, communications officer with the Ferry Division, spoke about ferry tolls that were approved by the N.C. General Assembly earlier this year.

“We will comply with the mandate. The tolls at free routes and increases in tolls at existing routes will not be instituted until next year, and the amount decided upon will depend on how much of a budget shortfall the Ferry Division is required to make up,” she said.

The ferry system operates seven routes over five bodies of water and includes 24 vessels.

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Turnage is ‘crown jewel’ Theater is center of cultural renaissance

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The Turnage Theater has been called Washington’s “crown jewel.”

The Turnage is a historic performance space fronted by a marquee at 150 W. Main St. The marquee, set on a timer, bathes portions of Main Street in a mingled, red-and-white glow most evenings.

Housed in a building that is nearly a century old, the theater hosts everything from weddings to concerts by professional musicians.

The list of “name” performers to grace the Turnage stage since late 2007 includes folk singer Richie Havens, pop singer-songwriter Leslie Gore, author-songwriter Janice Ian, jazz drummer Roger Humphries and many others.

Works of art can sometimes be seen in the lobby, where patrons gather before shows and during intermission.

Playbills dot display cases lining the corridor that leads to the theater entrance.

In the auditorium, mostly original rosettes spread across the ceiling, and ornate drama masks, paired with elaborate scrollwork, top faux opera boxes.

An inclined balcony overlooks the scene.

Operated by the nonprofit Turnage Theaters Foundation, the theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“It’s unique to its location,” said Scotty Henley, executive director of the foundation. “Many visitors comment that they wouldn’t expect a theater of that architectural design and beauty to be here, especially standing after all these years of its existence.”

Construction of the Turnage was started in 1910 and was finished in 1912.

In the 1910s and 1920s, the three-story building housed a silent movie theater upstairs and retail space on the ground floor. ➤

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The upper theater doubled as a vaudeville stage that attracted the likes of bandleader Cab Calloway and actor-comedian Red Skelton.

Eventually, the movie theater was moved downstairs to the palace-style theater that remains today.

The theater officially closed in 1978, though movies were shown there sporadically through the early 1980s.

As the boarded-up structure began to decay, it became home to mice and pigeons but little else. Vandals defaced the walls with graffiti, and windows fell victims to storms or tossed bricks.

The theater’s future was very much in doubt by the mid-1990s, when locals began to talk seriously about whether it should be torn down.

In 1996, volunteers formed the foundation, which began raising money to restore the theater.

The effort succeeded with the help of financial support from individuals, nonprofits, businesses, and the state and local governments.

The Turnage reopened with a gala in late 2007.

Long before the reopening, the Turnage was being talked about as the reborn cultural heart of Washington, which has been the center of revitalization attempts for decades.

A ceremonial lighting of the new marquee, designed to resemble the original marquee, was held in 2000.

“Obviously, the marquee is a symbolic emblem for this street, especially at night,” said Henley.

The theater’s staff books 15 to 20 shows in a year’s time, with another 20 events being booked by people who rent the theater.

“We strive to be a community welcoming place,” said Henley.

The theater is usually open for tours from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, though it’s recommended people call ahead to schedule a tour.

The theater is sometimes closed for private functions.

For more information, call the Turnage at 252975-1711 or visit www.turnagetheater.com.

JONATHAN CLAYBORNE

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Washington The Heart of the Inner Banks

°WASHINGTON Beaufort County

Population: 9,071 Elevation: 8 ft.

Land area: 6.5 sq. miles Median age: 39.5 years Zip code: 27889 Washington Tourism Authority 800-546-0162 www.visitwashingtonnc.com Washington Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce 252-946-9168 www.wbcchamber.com

Washington is the perfect starting point for exploring North Carolina’s Inner Banks. From the Heart of the Inner Banks you are but a short distance to all places that make eastern North Carolina a better place to be.

The original Washington was founded on 337 acres granted to Christopher Dudley in 1726. In 1771, James Bonner, then owner of the land, founded a town called “Forks of the Tar River,” which by 1776 was known as Washington, the first town to be named in honor of General George Washington.

Washington was incorporated by the General Assembly at Hillsboro in 1782; the Assembly established a trading port of Washington “for the speedy decision of mercantile transactions with foreigner and transient persons.”

Washington fell to Federal troops early during the Civil War. The city was devastated. On April 30, 1864, Federal troops set fires and pillaged the community before their departure. Major fighting took place at Hills Point, seven miles below the town where Federal batteries were established. It was there that Confederate guns sank the Yankee steamer “Louisiana.”

Washington is in the western part of

Beaufort County, in the east-central portion of the Coastal Plains. Located on the navigable Pamlico-Tar River, Washington is 136 miles south of Norfolk, Va. and 105 miles east of Raleigh. Highways serving the area include U.S. 17, U.S. 264, N.C. 33 and I-95. Washington is the port of entry to Historic Bath, flowery Terra Ceia, Lake Mattamuskeet and the commercial and sport fishing of Pamlico Sound and the Outer Banks.

Washington has unsurpassed water sports, recreational facilities, boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing and sailing. The City of Washington has free boat launching facilities, tennis courts, a recreation center, several ballparks and public libraries.

Today, Washington maintains an important position in eastern North Carolina. New and diverse industries are making their homes here. The rivers, though no longer vital to the shipping trade, supply a valuable recreational, ecological and aesthetic resource. With renewed interest in historic preservation, Washington is a city that truly pays honor to its historic heritage and exciting future.

Source: Washington Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce & Washington Tourism AuthoritY

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Aurora

The best of most worlds

Beaufort County

°AURORA Population: 615 Elevation: 8 ft.

Land area: .9 sq. mile(s) Median age: 48.7 Zip code: 27806 For more info: (252) 322-4405

Aurora is a small town offering the best of most worlds! Located in the heart of Richland Township, Aurora is full of friendly faces and interesting places.

Happy times await you, whether it’s fishing, hunting, sailing, power boating, fossil finding or simply relaxing.

Situated along the protected Sound Creek, a tributary of the Pamlico River, the area is a safe haven for pleasure sailboats, powerboats and commercial vessels.

Fishing waters are plentiful and the huge Pamlico Sound is moments away. The living is easy and the climate is moderate.

January temperatures average 44 degrees and June’s average is 75 degrees. Property is plentiful ranging from subdivisions to undeveloped acreage, much of which is waterfront.

There is a wealth of history surrounding the area. Aurora’s ancient lineage goes back millions of years. The underlying geologic deposits yield wealth in many areas. Richland Township is underlaid with vast deposits of marine creatures including ancient shark, dolphin, whale, coral and fish.

The area abounds with other activities. Take a free ferry ride over to Bath or the short drive to New Bern to tour Tryon Palace.

Wildlife is abundant throughout the area.

This outdoor paradise attracts hunters looking for some of the most fertile hunting grounds in the world. On any given trek to the woods, you can see black bear, white tail deer, ducks and quail to name a few.

Pride can be found throughout the community. The Town Hall is a restored historic home. Physicians, nurses and home health care providers work together through the Aurora Medical Center to provide skilled health care in wellequipped facilities.

PotashCorp Aurora, the area’s largest employer, mines the vast phosphate deposits. The mine is located about 10 miles from downtown Aurora. Safety, the environment and civic commitment are top priorities at the facility.

The annual Fossil Festival each May is a fun weekend of entertainment, education and celebration. Aurora is a small town that knows how to throw a big party! Kids can enjoy carnivals, rides, hot air balloon rides and numerous exhibits. Adults can enjoy world-class entertainment while shagging the night away at the Saturday night street dance.

Source: Aurora/Richland Township Chamber of Commerce

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Bath

The first town in North Carolina

Beaufort County

°BATH

Population: 275 Elevation: 5 ft.

Land area: .4 sq. mile(s) Median age: 48.8 Zip code: 27808 www.bath.nchistoricsites.org

Looking for a quaint town tucked away on the river? Then Bath, North Carolina is the perfect place. Established in 1705, Bath is North Carolina’s first town. Not only is it filled with history, but also with an endless variety of things to do.

The tranquil setting of the town belies its past. Bath in early times was disturbed by political rivalries, epidemics, Indian wars and piracy. The town’s fascinating history also includes periods of drought, yellow fever and armed rebellions.

Bath has been “discovered” recently by the national media as a prime real estate investment location. The Wall Street Journal.com identified Bath as one of the top “tempting locales” for buying a vacation home. As noted in the article, “Bath is a quiet harbor village in the state’s Inner Banks area. Located in Beaufort County, Bath offers boating, fishing, crabbing and birding.”

The recreational access to Bath Creek brings people from all over. During the summer months, the creek is overflowing with family and friends boating, swimming and sun bathing. It is also filled with people who have their poles in the water hoping to catch a speckled trout or another catch of the day. The creek

leads to the Pamlico River, which offers great access to nearby Washington for those who prefer boating to driving. The cool, refreshing water of Bath Creek is the cure for those hot summer days.

A stroll around Bath is a step back in time. The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources operates the Historic Bath Visitors Center and offers guided tours of historic homes. Architectural history buffs will enjoy visiting or viewing the Bonner House, the Williams (Glebe) House, the Van Der Veer House, the Palmer-Marsh House and other sites in the small village. The admission charges for adults is $2 and $1 for students. The houses reflect the wealth and sophistication of the older town. Once inside the houses, you will see beautiful antique furniture and framed portraits.

Of course, no visit to Bath is complete without learning of the disparate histories of a pirate and a church. Look elsewhere in the magazine and read about St. Thomas Church and a doubtful churchgoer, the infamous Blackbeard!

Sources: Christine Somerville, staff reports, State documents

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Belhaven

Year-round fun in an idyllic setting

Beaufort County

°BELHAVEN

Population: 1,692 Elevation: 4 ft.

Land area: 1.5 sq. miles Median age: 40.6 Zip code: 27810 Belhaven Chamber: 252-943-3770

Belhaven is one of many historically rich towns in the Inner Banks region.

Originally named Jack’s Neck, Belhaven was once a bustling industrial town with a half-dozen lumber companies and a branch of the Norfolk & Southern Railroad. The Pamlico and Pungo rivers, along with the railroad, provided the transportation necessary to move the hundreds of tons of wood products produced in the Belhaven area.

The tea-colored waters of the Pamlico River and Sound still drive the economy of the region. Although logging no longer is the primary industry, the waters that made it viable are still vital to the future of the town. These same waters yield a bounty of crabs, fish and shrimp that provide a living for many residents today.

Like the rest of the region, the beauty and recreational activities that come with life on the water are a big attraction to visitors.

Many tourists have long appreciated Belhaven, seeking to find a quiet getaway unspoiled by commercialism. The downtown area is being transformed with residential developments and new retail shops that enhance the quaint, slowpaced lifestyle that residents enjoy.

The center of town is often the center

of attention in this festive community.

The annual Fourth of July celebration reveals the patriotic spirit and pride of the community. This event attracts many visitors drawn to the fun atmosphere, amazing fireworks and the opportunity to celebrate our nation’s birthday.

Fun in Belhaven is not limited to the warm summer months. During the Christmas season, Belhaven hosts a tour of local homes decorated for the holidays.

Many of these historic homes display the beautiful architecture that survives from the earliest days of the town’s history.

Other events include sailing regattas; hot air balloon festivals; beauty pageants; parades and bluegrass concerts, just to name a few! Despite the attractive, laidback lifestyle the town exudes, Belhaven is a progressive community, always striving to maintain a high standard of living, without changing the character of the community.

You will find plenty of places to shop and dine a short walk from the center of town. A trip to the Belhaven Memorial Museum on the second floor of city hall will entertain and inform. Belhaven offers visitors and new residents alike a welcoming atmosphere that never fades.

36

Chocowinity Growth & progress along the river

Beaufort County

°CHOCOWINITY

Population: 857 Elevation: 3 ft.

Land area: 1 sq. mile(s) Median age: 39.4 Zip code: 27817 www.beaufort-county.com/ Chocowinity

On the south side of the Pamlico River in Beaufort County is a fast-growing community rich in history, agriculture and industry. Chocowinity is an unusual name for the small town that has such a rich heritage. It is interpreted to mean “fish from many waters” and is apparently Indian in origin.

According to historians, the area was once populated by Tuscaroran Indians several hundred years ago. The place was once also known as Godley’s Crossroads, but officially changed to Chocowinity before the Revolutionary War. Soon after the end of the Civil War, an unsuccessful effort was made to change the name of the town to Belvue.

The pattern of movement in the early history of Beaufort County found settlers crossing the river in the Bath area and moving up the south side of the river.

Trinity Church was built in 1773 for the Rev. Nathaniel Blount’s parish and is still in use. Trinity School, under the leadership of Nicholas Collin Hughes, provided the educational background for many students during this period.

Today, Chocowinity is a progressive community striving to keep pace with a

new breed of settlers seeking the good life afforded by the scenic beauty of the area.

Like most of Beaufort County, an influx of retirees and vacation home investors have altered the demographic makeup of the town. With growth and new residents have come new retail businesses and expanded city services.

Cypress Landing is a well-established community on Chocowinity Bay with over 700 home sites, developed by Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Development Company.

Amenities include a championship golf course, marina, fitness center, tennis facilities and a community center. Other waterfront developments are coming to the area.

The most well-known industry in Chocowinity is Fountain Powerboats, founded by offshore racing giant Reggie Fountain. Since it began in 1979, the business has grown quickly. What began as a 10,000-square-foot manufacturing facility with eight employees, has swelled to 250,000 square feet and more than 400 employees.

Sources: Chocowinity Town Website, Fountain Powerboats, Cypress Landing

37

Pantego A quaint, country town

°PANTEGO Beaufort County

Population: 171 Elevation: 3 ft.

Land area: 0.8 sq. miles Median age: 45 Zip code: 27860 www.beaufort-county.com

Pantego is a small, rural community that has its own historical credentials in the Inner Banks.

This quaint, country town in Beaufort County sits along Pantego Creek, reminding visitors and residents of days past. Started as a small village, it was established as a town in 1881 with a population of just 171 people. U.S. Highway 264 runs through this quiet community on the north side of the Pamlico River. Its name’s origin is Indian and comes from a saying “pant-n-go,” according to Mayor Glenda Jackson.

Once home to a high school and grade school, three gas stations, three banks and a grocery store, Pantego was an economically sound location. The town has seen better days, but is slowly rebuilding and growing through local companies such as Shavender Trucking which hauls wood residuals, and working with bigger organizations such as Weyerhaeuser and Georgia Pacific. Tideland Electric Membership Corporation — a provider of electricity in the area — has its main office in Pantego.

From the east, drivers are greeted by a community park near a bridge that passes over Pantego Creek. Beaufort County’s

first school was located in Pantego. Now, it is the Pantego municipal building. In this building, purchased by the town about six years ago, classes in carpentry, plumbing, brick-masonry and other technical trades are offered to local residents through Beaufort County Community College.

The town was once home to a school built in 1874 which opened as a private academy, Pantego High School, in 1907.

The building was converted to a museum by local alumni about four years ago.

Now called Ye Olde Academy Museum, it is filled with historic items from the school and town. It is open Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Admission to the museum is free. The downstairs of this museum is divided into sections taking tourists through an old classroom, bedroom, Victorian parlor, kitchen, toy room and sewing room. Items on display include a loom, a spinning wheel, a stained-glass window from a church and more.

To learn more about the academy or donate to its cause, visit www.yeoldacademy.com.

Sources: Glenda Jackson, Pantego Municipal Building, Brown Library, local documents

38

Washington Park Gracious living on the Pamlico

Beaufort County °WASHINGTON PARK

Population: Elevation: Land area: Median age: Zip code: Town Hall:

460 7 ft.

0.3 sq. mile(s) 45.5 27889 252- 946-3157

The town of Washington Park traces its history back to 1839 and the beautiful “Cedar Grove” plantation home that was burned by the Federals during the Civil War. In 1904, the grounds of the old plantation area were developed into a multi-family residential community and given the name Washington Park by the developer, Dr. John Small.

Dr. Small had worked on the Cedar Grove plantation as a child and was eager to return to the beautiful waters where he used to sail his small boat. He later turned his love into service as Washington Park’s first mayor.

The early days of the town’s existence were founded on education and community.

There once existed a thriving institute of higher learning. Washington Park was home to the Washington Collegiate Institute. Lida Small, an unofficial town historian, recalled that the school “was such a wonderful school for girls and boys who could not attend any ‘home school’.” The school was a huge part of town life from 1913 until it closed in 1931.

The author also remembered the fun days of early town history. At the end of a pier, the “Club House” was built “for the entertainment of the younger set from

Washington proper. There they would dance over the river when summer nights were warm and beautiful.”

The Washington Park Garden Club, still in existence, serves as a link to the early days of “the Park.” The first meeting of the group was in 1923 and originally began as a sewing club. The town holds an annual picnic inspired by the early picnics organized by the club. Current members still help organize the event.

Not much has changed in Washington Park. Residents can still be seen sailing the waters of the river, and gathering together for fun and fellowship. What began as a solitary dwelling and working plantation has grown into one of the area’s finest places to live.

Tom Richter, longtime mayor, says this about the town that was incorporated 75 years ago: “We have a beautiful, premier community with 210 houses, 10 empty lots, a waterfront park, a hardware store, tennis courts and a ‘tot lot.’ The town has the very best of the attractive elements of living in a great, small town. Did I say it was beautiful?”

Source: Early History of Washington Park, by Lida Small, 1950

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