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In the heart of town the six
-block Historic District depicts the lifestyles of the 18th and 19th century
Carolina coast. Visitors have the opportunity to take a docent-led tour that
visits the 1796 Carteret County Courthouse (the oldest wood framed
courthouse in the state), three beautifully restored historic homes
including the 18th century home of a wealthy plantation owner with its
original faux painting restored, the 1829 County Jail and a mid-19th century
apothecary and doctor’s office. Or, take a tour aboard a vintage English
double-decker bus with costumed guides telling tales of Beaufort’s rich
past—of the various pirates that made this area home, and tales of
Confederate spies and famous and infamous former residents. View the works
of local and regional artists at the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery housed in
the 1732 Rustell House and browse through the Old Beaufort Museum Shop’s
extensive collection of books on local history.
One of the most interesting landmarks is the town’s Old Burying Ground,
established in the early 1700’s and listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. The very old saying “people are just dying to get in here”
was especially true at the Old Cemetery. The town declared it full and
ordered it closed in 1825, but the residents refused to obey the order and
continued to bury their loved ones here for more than 80 more years. Among
the many noteworthy occupants of the cemetery is a child who died at sea and
was buried in a keg of rum to preserve her body, and the great NC privateer
Captain Otway Burns and the crew of the Crissie Wright who died when their
great schooner went aground at Shackleford Banks during an 1886 January
storm. Towering giant oaks and azaleas scattered among the graves add to the
charm of this old site. “Our State” magazine listed the Old Burying Grounds
as one of the top 52 places to see in North Carolina.
In 1997 the wreckage of “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” presumed to be Blackbeard’s
flagship, was discovered in 20 feet of water, about two miles from Beaufort
Inlet. Some of the artifacts from this ship are on exhibit at the North
Carolina Maritime Museum. Dedicated to preserving the state’s seafaring
history, its exhibits range from dugout canoes of Native Americans to the
sailing rigs of explorers and privateers. Offering educational exhibits,
programs and field trips, the Museum exhibits highlight the maritime and
natural history of coastal North Carolina including the history of the US
Lifesaving Service, working watercraft, and ship models.
On the waterside, across the street from the Museum, is the Harvey W. Smith
Watercraft Center. This is a working boat shop where visitors may watch
wooden boats being built and restored. The Wooden Boat Show, held the first
Saturday in May, has many workshops, demonstrations and activities, and is a
joy for wooden boat owners and enthusiasts. The Junior Sailing Program is a
two-week schooling for children ages 8-15 from June through August.
If you’re going:
The Beaufort Historic Site Visitors Center is at 130 Turner St. where
visitors may purchase tour tickets and pick up brochures of area
attractions; 1- 800-575-7483, or beauforthistoricsite@earthlink.com . The
Beaufort Historic Site offers three tours, which may be taken individually,
or in combination. Old Historic Site—year round on Mon-Sat. 10 a.m., 11:30
a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Tours of the Old Burying Ground—June--September on
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 2:30 p.m.; Double Decker bus April-Oct.,
Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat. 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. Individual tours $8 adult; $4
child; a combination of two tours $12 adult; $6 child; and all three tours
$16 adults, $8 child. No senior discounts; children under 6 free.
Annual attractions: Beaufort Old Homes and Gardens Tour—last full weekend in
June; Beaufort Antiques Show and Sale—last full weekend in June; Coastal
Carolina Christmas Walk—second weekend in December. The North Carolina
Maritime Museum, 315 Front St., 252-728-7371; no charge for admission to the
Museum or the Watercraft Center, and both have the same hours: Mon-Fri 9
a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Other Beaufort tours include a ghost tour after dark, the wild horses of
Shackleford Banks, sunset sails, and a horse and carriage tour of the
Historic District.
Directions:
From Mooresville it’s about 300 miles almost a six-hour drive, one-way. Take
I-40 in Statesville, at exit 289 take I-440 to I-40 south, at exit 306 take
Hwy 70 East to Beaufort.
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