Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
The Graveyard of the Atlantic museum in North Carolina, in itself, is an architectural attraction and visitors find it hard to miss. Located next to the Hatteras Village ferry docks, the museum is shaped like an arc, and bordered by a public beach access and ORV ramp. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., the museum is free to all visitors, but donations are accepted and appreciated and go towards expanding the museum and exhibits. Find them online at http://www.graveyardoftheatlantic.com/. Read on for more information about one of the most enjoyable activities in Outer Banks, NC!
Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in North Carolina Quick Facts
- This North Carolina Museum building, opened in October 2002, is 18,768 sq. ft. and was constructed to withstand sustained winds of over 135 mph and gusts of over 250 mph and is elevated 12 ft. above sea level.
- The innovative design of the building uses ship’s curves and timber elements to evoke the spirit of historic seafaring vessels.
- Exhibits are dynamic and change frequently, but you can expect to find artifacts and educational displays to portray the rich maritime history of the Outer Banks spanning 400 years.
- The museum offers self-guided exploration of exhibits along with scheduled educational programs, speakers and events.
The Outer Banks’ newest museum can be found at the southern tip of Hatteras Island, and is one of the most enjoyable Hatteras Island activities you'll experience on your trip here. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, which opened its doors in 2002, pays homage to the maritime history and folklore of the Outer Banks shipwrecks, ghost stories, Cape Hatteras light keepers, and innovators of this stretch of North Carolina coastline. With hundreds of shipwrecks off of Buxton’s treacherous Diamond Shoals, the museum explores these dangerous waters, and recounts the tales of the heroes who thrived along North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
At the museum, you’ll be able to admire the original Fresnel lens of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, see artifacts dredged from underwater shipwrecks that still remain in the Atlantic Ocean, and learn about Billy Mitchell, who pioneered air warfare over the waters of Hatteras Island.
The museum also offers an on-premise gift shop, and hosts a selection of speakers throughout the year, recanting lost shipwreck stories and bringing a bit of Outer Banks’ history to life. Previous sessions included talks on the USS Monitor, Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge, and the Civil War history on Hatteras Island.
With its close proximity to the beach, the ferry docks and Hatteras Landing shops and restaurants, a visit to the museum can be capped off with a fun exploration of Hatteras Village, a small town that’s steeped in maritime history and pride.
So bring your sense of adventure and love of sea-faring tales, and set aside some time during your Outer Banks vacation to visit Hatteras Island’s Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. Don't forget to contact us today about our incredible vacation rentals!