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Arrrrrrrg!
Cape Fear Museum of History
and Science brings the age of
pirates to life with its new exhibit
In the late 1600s, North Carolina’s
coast became a haven for pirates
because of its topography. Areas
like Cape Fear were a gold mine
for pirates to lay in wait for trading ships and
other vessels they could commandeer or
raid. Thousands of pirates roamed the fierce
seas to live a life of crime including Stede
Bonnet. Bonnet was dubbed the “gentleman
pirate” due to the fact that he was a wealthy
landowner before taking to the sea.
Bonnet captured many ships along the East
Coast. During one stint, he teamed up with
the infamous Blackbeard to wreak havoc. In
August 1718, Bonnet and his men engaged
in a Cape Fear River war waged with Colonel
William Rhett’s naval expedition. This led to
the eventual capture of Bonnet who was sentenced
to death soon after.
Starting mid-May the Cape Fear Museum of
History and Science will bring to life the age
of pirates. The pirate exhibit will give visitors
the overall feel of what it would be like to be
a pirate, says Jacob Rudolph, museum public
relations specialist. Rudolph adds that the
exhibit will entertain both children and adults.
“It’s going to be a hands-on exhibit with
everything from pirate games to making
your own Jolly Roger flag,” Rudolph explains.
“It should be a great exhibit.”
Access to the exhibit will come with
paid museum admission, $7 for adults and
$4 for ages 3-17. Seniors, college students
and military personnel will be admitted
for $6. Children under the age of 3 are
admitted for free.
The Cape Fear Museum of History
and Science — 814 Market St., Wilmington
www.capefearmuseum.com
(910) 798-4350
12
WBM may 2011
places
Moving
experience
Wrightsville Beach Museum of History
celebrates 15 years
On October 3, 1995, a triumph
was finally realized when a local
gem—the Myers Cottage, the
third oldest house in Wrightsville
Beach—was moved from South Lumina Avenue
across Banks Channel to a new location on West
Salisbury Street. Arrangements were made by the
Wrightsville Beach Preservation Society. In May
1996, the historic cottage was opened to the public
as the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History.
The museum has a unique combination of
exhibit areas and period rooms. The museum’s
executive director Madeline Flagler says that
although it’s a challenge to maintain the vintage
structure, “It is well worth it to preserve
the uniqueness of the building. We try to keep
to our mission of preserving the history here at
Wrightsville Beach, so we do everything locally.”
This month, the museum board of directors
invites all to come out, commemorate and celebrate
its 15th anniversary with a Shrimp-a-roo on
May 22 at Lumina Hall on Old Causeway Drive.
Wrightsville Beach Museum of History
303 West Salisbury St.
www.wbmuseum.com
(910) 256-2569
Courtesy Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
Courtesy Wrightsville Beach Museum of History