The CSS Neuse Gunboat Association has agreed to cover the cost of Green Lamp Head Start's Nov. 18 visit to the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center. As a nonprofit, Green Lamp has a limited fund to cover off-site trips. The CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center began charging earlier this year making it more difficult for groups on a limited budget for visit the site. By offsetting the cost of the visit, the Gunboat Association is helping to advance the education of this group of young people.
"We know that Education is the key to advancing the hopes of young people." said CSS Neuse Interpretive Center Site Manager Matthew Young. "We felt that this group could really benefit from a visit to our site, so we asked our partners to help us cover the cost for their admission."
CSS Neuse Gunboat Association President John Marston quickly agreed to the request. "We want to do all we can to help the young people understand the history and importance of our community," he said.
The CSS Neuse Gunboat Association has been a support group for the CSS Neuse State Historic Site as part of a public-private partnership since its formation in the 1970s. The Association has helped with fundraising efforts that helped make the new location and completion of new exhibits possible.
State of the art exhibits at the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center invite visitors to learn about the ironclad gunboat that used new technology to combat superior manpower. The Confederate Navy launched the ill-fated Neuse in an attempt to gain control the lower Neuse River and New Bern. Ultimately the Confederates blew up the vessel rather than allow it to fall into Union hands.
The CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center is located at 100 N. Queen St., Kinston, N.C. and open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: adults $5, senior/active military $4, Students (ages 3-12) $3, ages 2 and under free.
For additional information, please call the site. The CSS Neuse Center is within the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.