During the summer months of the antebellum period, Eastern North Carolinians retreated to the coast to escape the outbreak of diseases, such as malaria. This summertime exodus spurred the development of second homes, rental properties, and hotels. While staying at the coast, tourists engaged in a variety of recreational activities to pass the time. Join Maritime History Curator David Bennett to learn about the early development of tourism along the North Carolina coast.
This program is part of the N.C. Maritime Museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series. Informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. It is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.
Photo courtesy NC Maritime Museum.