This place is huge! 2-4 stories! 3rd story is a lookout but was closed today.. there is an elevator…read morealong with stairs.. lots of decoys to see in cases and a gift shop on first floor to right as you enter. History of storms along a wall.. there's even a library.. looked very comfy and quiet. Books all along wall on shelves! I enjoyed walking thru the museum. It was free and has lots of to see!

A must stop for anyone interested in learning about the area, the people, and the history of those…read morewho made a life here. The first floor is everything you never knew you needed to know about duck hunting, and the equipment used focusing on the evolution of duck decoys The second floor is donated items from around the area showing how people lived, worshipped, entertained themselves, and built a life with what they had. A scavenger hunt helps you really explore. There is a viewing area on the third floor ( which was closed). Friendly Staff, a nice gift shop, and an opportunity to learn - BONUS - FREE !!!

So, if there is anything to know about me, I will go out of my way to visit a museum. No matter how…read morebig or small. No matter the cost. I enjoy learning a bit about an area, it's good to expand your knowledge. As most have noticed, this is a free museum to visit. Unlike what the one reviewer said, you actually get more than "what you pay for." Other things that others have touched on. Yes, this is end of the line before the ferry to Ocracoke. Be mindful of the lanes when trying to get here, you may end up at the ferry. Ample parking, and there is beach access nearby. I have to touch on this, they did a really good job on design here. They incorporated the shipwreck theme throughout. From the entrance of the land you see large anchor. The building, when you are further away from it, looks like a large boat. Almost like an ark. Then, when you do get inside, the theater area where they show the video, you are inside the hull of a sunken metal ship. You don't see this until you are outside this area and roaming about the rest of the museum. Like there are holes in hull. Then there is the big lifeboat display. It's quite stunning. Then there area the display of items from shipwrecks. So many different eras here. Touching on safety and rescue here as well. The lighthouse display feels massive in this room. And that's the thing, everything this museum has is housed in one room. But it is partitioned in such a way that each display feels like its own area. After you are done with the museum portion the exit takes you into the gift shop. Take your time to find the right souvenir. Once you exit the gift shop make sure to check out the displays in this area. It's kind of a continuance of the museum. I will leave you with this. My favorite part about this museum was the digital display at the beginning. Showing you just how high the storm surge can get during any given storm. Topping out at over twenty feet. When you stand next to it, you feel tiny. On your way out, check out the grounds area around the parking. More information out there.

Pretty cool museum showing history of the area. Great for all ages and free to enter!read more

The Cowan Museum of History and Science is located in Kenansville NC. The museum is in a house…read morebuilt in 1848. The museum collection focuses on the 19th and 20th century. The museum has agricultural tools; household tools; crafts tools; medical tools and musical instruments. One room is full of gemstones and some of them glow when the case is lit up. I go to a lot of history museums and have not seen some of these artifacts before. I was impressed with an older toaster. I was thankful that I have a washing machine and do not need to clean my clothes in the washing machine tub. Outside is a Botanical Garden with 90 species of native plants. Thhere is also a log cabin; general store and tobacco barn. Even though this is a smaller museum it is full of history and worth a visit.

This was a great little museum. You can see all types of artifacts from the 19th and 20th century…read more You can also tour the grounds which have a visitor center, kitchen garden, botanical garden and real log cabins, former general store and school house. Tours are free. There is an interactive area for kids. Also, it's all FREE. great way to spend a day.

Aurora Fossil Museum is located in Aurora, NC. The museum is in two buildings and there are three…read morefossil pits (two official and one left over from a festival) that you can dig. Admission is free for all of this. There is even a parking lot. Some of the fossils in the first building are local fossils that came from a nearby phosphate mine. But others are from all over the world. The other building across the street has mostly gems. The museum has a nice gift shop and restrooms if needed.

This is a very remote field trip, so plan accordingly. Bring food, bring water, and bring your…read moreenthusiasm....and if your knees are bad, a lawn chair. This place will appeal to the dinosaur enthusiast in all of us. YOU WILL find stuff....teeth, shells, occassional vertebrae. They get dirt drops 2 or 3 times a year from the local phosphorus mine. The mom and pop that set up this venture support their two museums with donations, so buy something at the shop or make a donation because this place needs to continue. Otherwise, the only cost is your time and patience. They are warm, friendly, and very knowledgeable, so bring your finds to them for id. Guaranteed, you will learn something. Parking is abundant and free, and bathrooms are available. You and your kids need to experience this place so come on to one of the neatest experiences in NC.

I think the museums along OBX are small collection-type. The collection here is rich and very…read moreinformative. I learned a lot of history, about art from different tribes. There was one room which was more of an exhibit and resembled a home. The museum generally focused on Native American history at large but was not super helpful in informing you about the Croatan or Roanoke groups which were local to the region prior to European colonization. I understand the historical record is rather sparse but it would have been nice to have more connection to the location we were in. Nevertheless, I learned quite a bit about the role of the code talkers during WWII, saw models of original canoes, and more which were all rather interesting!

Many excellent artifacts with great descriptions and historical context. Very friendly staff!read more

The Newport Historical Museum is one of those charming locations that is a must-see for anyone…read morevisiting the area. The building itself provides a beautiful backdrop and setting for the eclectic set of materials on display inside. Hearkening back to a bygone era many of the pieces are true relics that are historically important as well as entertaining. There is much food for the imagination here and a lot of source material for any historical reporting, articles or school assignments. These include work from elementary school, to high school, college and beyond. Take your time and absorb while enjoying it. The curators and hosts and hostesses at this museum are polite and express natural southern charm. It is very much a journey into America's heart and soul that everyone can enjoy and cherish. I hope it uplifts you and fills you with as much joy and interest it did me.

This museum has so much to offer! The David William's House has exhibits that tell the story of…read moreOcracoke. The parlor exhibit changes each year. There is a local family tree displayed in the hallway that changes out every 2 years. In the Brogue Room, you can watch a hilarious video that highlights the Ocracoke dialect spoken by the island locals. The summer months offer programs almost every day with porch talks, kid's craft days, tours and much more. Be sure to visit the gift shop and buy tickets to win the beautiful quilt displayed every year on the bed. Go say hi to the friendly volunteers! Free admission but be sure to leave a donation.

Wonderful little museum and gift shop. The free museum (donations requested) is in the restored…read moreDavid Williams house. The inside and outside exhibits tell the story of early islanders, including the pirate Black Beard, and Ocracoke Island life. Displays include period rooms, model boats, decoys, and local seashells. The little gift shop offers a mix of local themed books, works by local artists, locally made items, and assorted gifts for all ages--all reasonably priced compared to other area shops.