Located in Elizabeth City, NC, the museum has free parking in front and there is no admission fee. It is celebrating its 50th year in 2017. In the lobby is a panel that outlines the current exhibits and a cool local racing boat. The Albemarle region is half water and half land, so there are many activities on the water here.
The Flying Kites with Delia display is on the first floor.
Two paintings by Francis Vandeveer Kugher hang at opposite ends of the lobby on the stairwell. These are two of fourteen murals commissioned in 1956 for the Institute of Government's new Assembly Hall at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. The first is entitled, Gettysburg, and depicts Confederate Brig. General James Pettigrew leading his troops on July 3, 1863. The second is, Charles II and the Lord's Proprietors, and represents the king granting a charter to eight members of English nobility in 1663. This led to the establishment of the colony of Carolina.
A North Carolina Shad Boat, built in 1904 by Avery Bell Wright (a 4th generation boat builder),is also hanging in the lobby. Originally built as a sailboat, it was subsequently convert to gasoline, and, then diesel power. It was restored in 1997, an eight-year project.
On the second floor is the Tarheels in the Trenches exhibit.
Below are two displays of artifacts from World War I. Showcased were machine guns, trench knife, trench periscope, grenade, gas masks, gas alarm, and helmets. Also shown are rifles with bayonets and handguns. The third photo is of "trench art," carvings made by soldiers of shell casings during the days, weeks, and even months in the trenches.
Our Story: Life in the Albemarle is the primary exhibit of the museum and is a timeline of four eras of cultural history of the area.
The Maritime Era began when Native Americans inhabited the Albemarle region for the last 10,000 years, The Algonquian established villages in the area, primarily along the water. There were many conflicts between the colonists and the Native Americans. By the 1800s most Native Americans had moved to the north or west.
The many inlets and harbors of the Albermarle region were a haven for pirates that attacked ships sailing between England and America. Most notably, Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard) was eventually killed near Ocracoke in 1718.
Daniel Jackson, and his wife Elizabeth, had this house constructed in 1755. The children slept in the unheated loft above. It is constructed with heavy beams and covered with clapboard. The house is furnished with 18th and 19th century artifacts similar to those listed in the Jacksons' wills.
The Albemarle Militia fought in Virginia to help secure victory for the Colonial Army during the Revolutionary War. Following the Maritime Era was the Canal Era.
During the War of 1812, the Dismal Swamp Canal in the Albemarle region played a crucial role in getting supplies to the blockaded port of Norfolk. During this time, local fishermen used netting and fish traps to bring in large catches.
Below is a cemetery gate (1858) and door with confetti decorated painting. Also shown is a Carter Plow, patented in 1907, that was used for farming in the region.
The CSS Albemarle was an ironclad Confederate battleship constructed in Halifax. It suffered damage during the Civil Ware Battle of Albemarle Sound in 1864. The battleship was subsequently sunk by a Union sneak attack. The gun carriage (1862) was recovered from the CSS Black Warrior, a Civil War schooner equipped with two 32-pounder cannons.
The Railroad Era followed. The trunks date from 1850 to 1930. A women's traveling suit is shown as well as a "foot warmer."
By 1874, they US Life Saving Service had established seven stations along the Outer Banks. Fourteen more station were built after the wrecks of the USS Huron (1877) and Metropolis (1878) in North Carolina. We have visited numerous Life Saving Service sites in ME, MA, NJ, and DE, and greatly admire the "surf men" who manned these stations and saved so many lives.
Below is a washing machine (c 1900) and a printing press of the same timeframe. The steam pumper dates to 1888.
Meanwhile, fine dining pieces were created and used in the region, while liquor stills and religious congregations thrived.
The Automotive Era exhibits include agricultural implements (potato sorter McCormack tractor) vintage fuel pumps, and World War II artifacts.
The Tourism Era has boosted the local economy with the leisure industry (employment for services and manufacturing of items such as pleasure boats, etc.) Also the largest Coast Guard base (Elizabeth City) in the Continental US provides air search and rescue operations from New Jersey to Georgia on the Atlantic coast.
The last exhibit we saw was: I DO! Weddings in the Albemarle 1831-2015. Wedding dresses as well as attire for men are displayed. The first display was a dotted swiss dress, hat, and purse (1915) and a 1928 wedding dress
Below are some of the wedding dresses on display: 1928 wedding dress and hat/veil, 1948 short dress with puffed sleeves, 1952 dress trimmed with lace, 1981 dress and hat, and 1991 Christian Dior wedding gown. Also shown are two quilts, one made in 1886 (frame) and the other in 1903 as a wedding gift.
A dressing room display provides the opportunity for kids and adults to play "wedding dress-up."
The exhibit also included vintage photography equipment and musical devices (1905 Mira Music Box and 1920 Kimberly phonograph) used at outdoor weddings.
We thoroughly enjoyed this museum. And, honestly, was very pleasantly surprised with the depth of the collection and the well-curated exhibits. The price is certainly right (free)! Check it out if you are in the area and enjoy learning more about our nation's history (like we do). For additional information about the museum go to www.museumofthealbemarle.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment