Exhibits
Our galleries provide experiences in local history.
RODNEY B. KEMP GALLERY
Named after our famous “fish house liar”, this gallery currently presents the award winning 2021 exhibition “Anchoring Our Past to the Present: The 50th Anniversary of the Carteret County Historical Society, 1971-2021”. This is a 450ft2 walk through of the Society’s growth as well as a geographical walk through the county’s past. From Cedar Point to Cedar Island, the Croatan Forest to the Atlantic Ocean, it is a lot to pack in there, but it is all there. The 2021 film “Ramblin’ with Rodney through Carteret County” is a travel-log that crisscrosses the county while exploring its history. Narrated by Rodney Kemp, the 35-minute film by KEVA Creative was funded by a grant from the Big Rock Foundation in 2020. The 2006 film “The History Place, the Story of Carteret County” is a documentary-stylized short film that focuses on a number of historical facts and stories relating to the county’s past.
THE WARRIORS GALLERY
The 2012 “Warriors of Carteret County” honors all Carteret County citizens who, from World War I to the present, have enlisted in the United States’ Armed Services. Video-taped interviews of World War II veterans are available within the exhibit and exploration “tunnels” under the exhibit keep the little ones occupied, trust us!
THE CENTRAL GALLERY
This centralized area features “Piracy on the Crystal Coast”, a Civil War spy’s buggy of choice, “Neighbor, Just Come on Down”, a diorama of the county’s earliest African American Church, and, currently under construction, a discussion of the Civil War within the county.
THE “NEW” BIG ROCK GALLERY
Carteret County’s history has always been indelibly linked to offshore fishing, and nowhere is this more evident than the
Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.
From its origins with the Fabulous Fisherman in the early 1960’s, to the worldwide event it’s become, Big Rock has succeeded in its goals of promoting Carteret County as a world renowned fishing destination, while also bringing awareness to conservation of our fisheries through catch and release.
Featuring historic photography, advertising, and artifacts, our Big Rock Gallery showcases the history of this iconic organization and its incredible impact on our county over the last 60 years.
THE JACK S. GOODWIN RESEARCH CENTER
Our non-circulating library and archive holds materials relating to our county’s past. From high school annuals and large photograph collections, to land records and family history files, if it happened here, chances are we have something to show or tell you.
Our knowledgeable volunteer genealogists can also assist you with projects relating to your ancestors or marking your historic house with a plaque. If needed, we can also recommend a local genealogy professional.
The Stacey Veros Museum Gift Shop
The Museum Gift Shop features a number of unique and interesting books for purchase. Check out the list. You can buy county high school annuals from several different past years too. The Museum Gift Shop also has a variety of gifts, jewelry, toys, and other merchandise designed to extend your visit beyond The Museum. Come for the history and stay for the shopping!
