From the early explorations of the Carolina coast in the late 1500s to the Civil War Battle of Roanoke Island in 1863 to the impact of modern hurricanes like Frank and Floyd, the central Outer Banks region has a long and storied past.
Earlier this month, Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz, local elected officials, members of the Roanoke Island Commission and others celebrated the reopening of the Adventure Museum at Roanoke Island Festival Park, which tells the story of the area’s history in an interactive way.
From talking pirate displays to the opportunity to for kids dress up in 16th century to the chance to try out the navigation tools available to the area’s early colonists, the Adventure Museum provides a number of great opportunities for kids and families to learn about the region’s past.
One of the best parts of the opening for the Secretary was running into Joan Collins. Several members of Collins’ family, including her great grandfather, great uncle and father, worked at the Pea Island Lifesaving Station. The story of the station is told as part of the museum, but after meeting Collins the Secretary got the chance to hear the story from a personal perspective as well.
The Adventure Museum, along with the rest of Roanoke Island Festival Park, is open daily from April to December. Be sure to stop by when you head to the beach this summer!