Wrightsville Beach Museum of History

Wright Holman Shrimparoo 2024!

Deidre Carney — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 22:45:47 +0000

May 11 @ Motts Channel Seafood – 6:30pm – 9:00pm

Live Music, Drinks, and Steamed Shrimp Cooked to Perfection

Sponsors and Vendors Welcome!

Wrightsville Beach Museum Annual Members Meeting 2024

Deidre Carney — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 22:01:21 +0000

Waterman Hall of Fame 2023

Deidre Carney — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 20:37:19 +0000

WB WATERMAN HALL OF FAME

Class of 2023

The Waterman Hall of Fame is intended to be a lasting tribute for the achievements of the generations of local residents that have shaped this community and its relationship with the water. This award was created to reflect the importance of community spirit and personal contributions to the culture of water sports and professions throughout the history of the Cape Fear Region. The Hall of Fame honors the values exhibited by the best of those who have made the Cape Fear Region’s ocean and marshes their home. We wish to celebrate men and women exemplifying the best of the local coastal communities in their character, demeanor, and spirit both in competition and in their respect and/or contributions to the community.

Jarrod Covington

Paddlesports

Jarrod grew up learning all things water which led him to be the waterman extraordinaire he is today. He is a surfer, kite boarder, slalom skier, wake surfer, outrigger canoe paddler, paddle boarder, paddle surfer, eco kayak tour master and partakes in any other water sport you can think of. Owner of Wrightsville SUP and Seagate Boating, Jarrod spends his days on the water and his evenings with his family. You can also catch him spending days on the water with his family when his businesses allow.

Jimmy Vass

Fishing/Boating

Captain Jimmy Vass, born and raised around the beach, has worked in the marine business for over 30 years. He started Fortune Hunter Charters in 1983 and has held his captain’s license for over 25 years. His laid back personality helps to create a relaxed and fun atmosphere for all aboard, from the beginner to the most seasoned angler. He is ready to share his knowledge of fishing with all. His personal satisfaction from his charter business comes from watching children and adults experience their first catch or just trolling along seeing the sights and taking in the wonders of the sea.

Ashley Chapman

Swimming/Diving

Ashley Futral Chapman is considered one of the Best Freediving Instructors in the world. North Carolina native, Ashley is undoubtedly leaving her mark on the world of competitive freediving. She took interest in the sport of freediving in 2008 as a means of spearfishing the North Carolina waters with her husband, Ren. Years of competitive experience have culminated in 3 world records and 17 national records.

John C. Drewry IV

Ocean Rescue

John Dreary IV grew up on Wrightsville beach. John started clamming at 13, and his ocean rescue career ran from 1977 through 1981– lifeguards worked only summers in those days. After his stint as a head guard, he began his career as a volunteer fireman at Wrightsville Beach. He advanced to the rank of Captain and later served on the fire department board of directors. He has dedicated much of his life to protecting and serving the residents of Wrightsville Beach.

WB Longboard Association

Ohana/Group

The Wrightsville Beach Longboard Association (WBLA) has achieved significant contributions to Wrightsville Beach, NC since its inception in 1999. These include organizing an annual Oyster Roasts and longboard surfing competitions, fostering an inclusive community, promoting a healthy coastal culture through environmental initiatives, supporting local surfers, collaborating with the community, and strengthening bonds within the coastal community. Their efforts have made a positive impact on both the local surfing scene and the overall well-being of the coastal area.

Lumina Daze 2023

zach — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 20:13:15 +0000

Lumina Daze recreates the atmosphere and events of Lumina throughout its nearly 70 years in operation. For 2023, we are excited to entertain attendees with live music featuring The Catalinas Beach Band oceanside and The Wilmington Big Band in the ballroom. There will be raffles, reunions and reminiscing as supporters dance and laugh the night away at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

In 1993 members of the Wrightsville Beach Preservation Society put together a small fundraiser to benefit the society’s efforts to preserve the rapidly disappearing history of Wrightsville Beach, they called this fundraiser Lumina Daze.

In 1996 the Wrightsville Beach Preservation Society founded the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History in a historic cottage that was relocated to its present site on Salisbury St.

Today Lumina Daze is the single largest form of financial support generated for the museum.

Please contact Info@WBMuseumofhistory.com for more information.

Presented By:

Interested in sponsoring this event or providing items for the auction?

Lumina Daze 2023 Sponsorship Information

LOOP THROUGH HISTORY: Walk the Loop and learn about Wrightsville Beach History!

alyson — Fri, 13 May 2022 21:01:37 +0000

Don’t miss the WB Museum’s famous pop-up exhibit, “Loop Through History!” Featuring 25 signs situated around Wrightsville Beach’s most popular fitness area, The Loop. The exhibit started in 2016 around the 2.45-mile stretch to help passersby learn more about the island. The exhibit is showcased eight weekends annually. We invite you to set aside an hour to walk around the Loop to see all the signs.

Exhibit Dates:

May 20-23
June 24-27
July 22-25
August 19-22
September 23-26
October 21-24
November 25-28
December 16-19

Donna Starling, a museum board member for Wrightsville Beach, developed the exhibit with one idea in mind: to bring history out to the people. Also, it was a way to think outside the box.

“Everyone is free to learn and take their time and walk it,” Starling exclaims. “Sometimes, it’s intimidating, coming off the beach with sandy feet. You feel like, Oh, I don’t want to go into the museum. But, on the Loop, whether you’re in tennis shoes and shorts, or in a bathing suit and flip-flops, you can enjoy the history of Wrightsville Beach.”

In addition to illustrating different moments on the island, Loop Through History is a fundraiser for the museum. Families and individuals can sponsor a sign for a year.

Wrightsville Beach Elementary School (sign five), opened in 1953, and has a special place in Starling’s heart. Her family’s history goes back on the island. “My father went there, I went there, and my children went to (what was then known as) Wrightsville Beach School,” Starling reveals, “so three generations.”

Starling and her family have seen changes on the island, too, such as Johnnie Mercer’s Fishing Pier (sign eight) going from wood to concrete. When Starling’s father was young, he would skip school and fish off the pier; the principal always knew where to find him. “That story is pretty funny,” Starling remembers.

Starling favors sign eleven, Lumina Pavilion—once known as “The Playground of the South.” Having opened in 1905, the pavilion was the hot spot of southeastern NC. It hosted famous jazz acts like Cab Calloway, and in its latter years famous rock acts like Jerry Lee Lewis. In the ‘60s, it hosted the Miss North Carolina pageant, but also Ronald Reagan, who attended what was the well-known Lumina Weekend.

Aside from Lumina’s famous dance floor, it also had a bowling alley, restaurant, and would screen movies on the side of the building. Locals were able to access it via the trolley (sign eighteen), a system created by Hugh MacRae. Lumina Pavilion was demolished in 1973 to make room for more condominiums. Lack of clear vision for how to use the massive building on the beach led to its demolition.

“If you ever stop at the sign on the loop,” Starling says, “you’ll hear people talking about their grandmother and their grandfather getting engaged in front of Lumina on the beach.”

For more information on the Wrightsville Beach Museum and its many exhibits, please visit in person!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorships support the Wrightsville Beach Museum in many ways as we continue to preserve the past and network within the community to work on mutually beneficial projects. Become a sponsor of one to the twenty five individual signs around the 2.45 mile Loop highlighting important aspects of our history and development. Each sign has been carefully researched and paired with photographs illustrating what was once here.

You may sponsor in your name, that of your business or to honor someone special. Be creative! Sponsorships are renewed annually and begin January 1 and run for a calendar year. You may purchase Sponsorships online or contact us to speak to someone in the office.

Thank you to all the Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar Participants!

alyson — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 22:24:32 +0000

The WB Museum’s Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar was a huge success! We had beautiful weather, fantastic vendors selling a variety of unique gift items, a great display of trees decorated by local businesses…AND A GREAT TURNOUT!

A huge thank you to all those participated in the event and everyone who came out to celebrate the season with us!

Happy Holidays!

Congratulations Blockade Runner!

alyson — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 22:22:49 +0000

Congratulations to The Blockade Runner for winning “FAVORITE TREE” at the WB Museum’s Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar! Coming in at a very close second was our runner up, Wrightsville Beach Elementary!

Thank you to all of the following businesses for their creativity and participation in our tree decorating competition:

Blockade Runner

Wrightsville Beach School

Motts Channel Seafood

Vito’s Pizza

Outer Banks Hammocks

VOTE for our BOAT!

alyson — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 19:51:10 +0000

The WB Museum is participating in the 38th Annual NC Holiday Flotilla BOAT PARADE at Wrightsville Beach!

Saturday, November 27th ~ 6:00PM!

Come on out and kick-off the holiday season coastal-style! This unique parade of boats decorated with thousands of lights is a spectacular sight the whole family will enjoy! With fireworks as the finale!

We are excited to announce that this year, the WB Museum is joining in the festivities and entering a boat! Our theme…shhhh, its an “UNDERWATER SECRET! You DON’T want to miss it!

And don’t forget to vote for your your favorite…US!

During the parade you can VOTE by texting the word “BOAT + NUMBER” to 24587. Example BOAT1, BOAT2, etc

For more information about the NC Holiday Flotilla and all of the weekend events CLICK HERE.

Carolina Pro-Am RAFFLE to Benefit Wrightsville Beach Museum!

alyson — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 19:45:54 +0000

The Carolina Pro-Am presented by Salt Life and Infinity Sup Co. is scheduled for November 12-14, 2021.

Enjoy three days of exciting watersports combining stand up paddleboarding and surfing that draws some of the best professional stand up surfers to beautiful Wrightsville Beach! This spectator-friendly, world-class competition also has one of the largest stand up paddle surf prize purses on the East Coast.

This year, there will be a raffle benefitting the WB Museum! The drawings will take place throughout the 3 day event, with a big WINNER drawn on Sunday. Raffle items include high end swag from Salt Life, Carolina Pro-Am, and MORE! The big ticket item for Sunday includes a Blockade Runner gift certificate for a 2 night stay, including breakfast and dinner! RAFFLE TICKETS ARE $10.

*All the preliminary drawings for prizes will be returned to the lot of tickets to be included in the final drawing. Winners will be announced by name.

Event location:

South of Crystal Pier

S. Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

Event times:

SUP Surfing Friday and Saturday: 9:00 AM until 5:00PM

Sunday: 8:20 AM until 4:00PM

CLICK HERE FOR RAFFLE TICKETS

MORE EVENT INFO:

https://paddleguru.com/races/CarolinaProAmPresentedbySaltLifeInfinitySupCo2021

Get Your Own Little Piece of Causeway Café

zach — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 19:50:42 +0000

Whether you’re a local or a regular visitor to Wrightsville Beach, odds are you’ve eaten at Causeway Café. The Wrightsville Beach icon closed in 2018 after 30 years as a locals’ favorite. The Café’s owner, Dave Monaghan passed away in April 2020. He was a big part of Wrightsville Beach and a big fan of Wrightsville Beach Museum. One of the ways his wife Penny wanted to honor her husband was to help the museum. She donated a fun “Causeway Café Package” to be used for a raffle fundraiser honoring Dave.

The raffle winner gets:

A Little Piece of Causeway Café

1 gray Causeway Café T-Shirt, Size Adult L
1 white Causeway Café T-Shirt, Size Adult L
1 white Causeway Café T-Shirt, Size Adult M
1 khaki, with embroidered stitching, vintage washed Causeway Café Cap
1 “Authentic from the Café” red CocaCola Tumbler
1 “Authentic from the Café” white coffee mug
2 Causeway Café Cookbooks & Memories Booklets

Tickets are $10 per entry. The winning ticket will be drawn on December 11.

Ticket sales benefit Wrightsville Beach Museum of History.