Roanoke Island Maritime Museum

Stroll along Manteo’s waterfront boardwalks, pass the Marshes Lighthouse, and spend some time at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum. The museum, a free attraction, is a mistake to miss. Friendly staff and vintage boats at the museum educate visitors and locals alike about the craft and history of boat building on Roanoke Island.

2010 Youth Sailing Programs

For many years the Youth Sailing Program, run by the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum, has been the pride and joy of the Museum and the Town of Manteo. Locals and visitors have sent their children to the Optimist and 420 sailing seminars. The Outer Banks Sailing Academy, LLC is pleased to continue to offer youth a first class professionally run Youth Sailing Program.

June 9th thru August 13th ,2010
Morning sessions: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Afternoon sessions: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

For more information and registration call (252) 207-7179 or visit www.outerbankssailingacademy.com.

The charming and quaint museum suits the character of the people and place it celebrates. The Creef/Davis Boathouse, named for the heads of two famous boat-building families from the Outer Banks, was the sight of the construction of the Elizabeth II in 1982. A 16th century representative ship, Elizabeth II rests at its home port, Roanoke Island Festival Park, across from the Manteo waterfront and only a moment’s walk from the Creef/Davis Boathouse. The ship’s captain, Robbie Putnam, can usually be found at the Maritime Museum. Putnam will happily provide well-informed answers to any questions visitors might have about Elizabeth II and her construction at the boathouse. He welcomes guests to explore the exhibits and displays at the museum, including a model of Elizabeth II. Putnam and the staff at the Maritime Museum help visitors learn about boat building and sailing from the past to the present.

The boathouse that contains the museum is named in honor of George Washington Creef, the hardworking and inspired Roanoke Island native who designed the shad boat in 1883. The shad boat, which the North Carolina General Assembly declared the official state boat in 1987, features distinctive crafting and maneuverability that makes it adept at fishing the waters of the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. Today, a small permanent staff and a handful of volunteers preserve history in their practice of creating new boats from traditional techniques and repairing relics from the past.

Volunteers also engage in educational and outreach activities that are provided free to the general public. Workshops, classes, and opportunities are available year-round and range from programs including Build a Boat in a Day to Shallowbag Bay Sail About.

Click here for more information on upcoming Maritime Workshops and Events.

 

Visitors enjoy the lush green lawn around the boathouse building, or relax under the shaded porch on rocking chairs. Guests enjoy the peaceful view of the marsh and water from the picnic tables at the park. Inside the structure is pleasant, too. Attractive exhibits make a lovely picture, and guests are welcome to watch volunteers at work, or enjoy the boats currently on display inside the museum.

The Roanoke Island Maritime Museum in Manteo has hours that vary seasonally.
For more information, call (252) 475-1750 or email Robbie.Putnam@ncdcr.gov..

Next >> Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse