Pirates Of The NC Coast

Pirates At The Maritime Museum

North Carolina’s Maritime Museum in Beaufort displays rich maritime heritage – from pre-history to today. A visit to the museum introduces you to the natural beauty, the resources and the cultural aspects of North Carolina’s coastal region.

The museum's newest exhibit explores the world of Blackbeard and his fellow pirates. This exhibit and events will take place throughout the summer at the Museum in Beaufort.

In 1718, the notorious Blackbeard ran his flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge (QAR), aground in Beaufort Inlet, roughly two miles from where the Museum stands today. On Saturday, June 11, the Museum will open the “Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge” exhibit, showcasing the artifacts and history of the wreckage.

“This is the most significant exhibition the Museum has undertaken in several decades,” said Museum Director Joseph Schwarzer. “It will be the most definitive and comprehensive display of QAR material to date.”

The new exhibit takes up approximately a third of the Museum’s exhibit space with newly released, key artifacts including a whole wine bottle, sail cloth, glass beads, cannon tompions, clothing items, cask parts and French ceramics. Old favorites such as cannon and weapons from previous displays will be featured as well.                

On the eve of the grand opening, the Museum will celebrate pirate-style with "An Evening  of Merriment." The seaside soiree includes music, exhibit tours, dinner and a rum-tasting. Tickets are $100 per person, and space is limited.

On June 11, the exhibit will open to the public with the “Grand Opening Celebration Day: Life Aboard QAR,” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults and children alike will experience aspects of pirate life through weapons demonstrations, free boat rides and games. Local restaurants will offer free pirate fare all day at the event. Archaeologists from the North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Branch will also be on hand to talk about the recovery of the artifacts.

At 7 p.m., author Elliott Engel will give a free presentation on Blackbeard. Free tickets will be available to Museum members beginning May 20, and to the general public on June 1, if space is still available.

Museum & Watercraft Center Hours:
Weekdays: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturdays: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Sundays: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

The Museum closes for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. Occasionally the Watercraft Center will be closed for longer periods of time for the holidays. Please call 252-728-7317 for exact holiday operating hours.

added: May 9, 2011

updated: May 11, 2011