ETC.
New Lease on Life
Sharing rich history in a repurposed historic cottage
THE “newest” building in the Wrightsville
BY PAT BRADFORD | PHOTOS BY BILL RITENOUR
Beach historic square is the Ewing-Bordeaux
Cottage, but it is not new at all. The 1924-era
house, moved onto the square at 303 West
Salisbury St. in January 2018 from its original
location at 405 N. Lumina Ave., was built as a summer-only
beach cottage and was one of just six cottages that sur-vived
the Great Fire of 1934.
Much needed upgrades after the move included the
HVAC systems, rewiring and replumbing, and interior
sprucing. It was elevated on the new site, not unlike the
headquarters for the N.C. Coastal Federation also located
in the historic square enclave in the refurbished Palmgren-
O’Quinn Cottage that was moved to the site by barge and
over land in 2013.
Closed in January, the Ewing-Bordeaux Cottage opened
again with limited hours in February. It houses some of the
Wrightsville Beach Museum of History’s exhibits moved
from the historic 1907 Myers Cottage, where they were
displayed since the museum opened in 1995.
After being moved to Wrightsville’s historic square in 2018
as an addition to the Wrightsville Beach Museum, the Ewing-
Bordeaux cottage was elevated, allowing space for special
events underneath. A covered side porch provides a shady
spot for visitors to rock under a Lumina Pavilion sign.
The Myers Cottage continues to be the snapshot of early beach living,
focused on porch life. Bev Holt, museum volunteer and weekly docent,
says “the Bordeaux has a lot of fresh exhibits.”
With polished wood floors and fresh white walls, the Bordeaux houses
a chronological journey through the history of Wrightsville Beach —
enhanced with early photos, video, and special memorabilia from the
museum’s collection. The history is wide, from Captain Kidd, Joshua
Wright, the early cottages, and a timeline of war on the coast from Civil
War blockade runners to World War II German U-boats. Well-lit rooms
house displays with education on Trouble the Whale, the Lumina Pavilion,
Jim Crow Era, Shell Island Beach and the fire of 1934.
“Special attention is given to significant and interesting artifacts of rich
beach history,” Holt says.
These include early surfboards, water skis, Simmons boats, and articles
of early bathing attire in the history of swimsuits exhibit.
Also significant is the permanent home of the Waterman Hall of Fame,
with its displays of all the activities connected to living on the water. The
room celebrates water sports and professions that are so important in
the community and honors those who make positive contributions to the
way of life at the beach.
16 february 2022
WBM