The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum down there at the south end of Hatteras Island is bit of haul from the northern Outer Banks, but for a day trip, it makes for a great destination.
Right now the display area of the museum isn’t very large, but what is in it is really worth a look and the newest addition adds a nice touch to the WWII exhibit.
A 4’ model of a German U-Boat with a cutaway long the side to show the interior just went on display at the museum. It’s part of growing WWII collection looking at arguable the most terrifying time along the coast of North Carolina.
In the first six months of 1942 after the United States entered the war, German U-Boast sank 78 merchant ships along the coast of the state. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum sees its mission as telling the story accurately, allowing the people who see it to better understand what happened.
The WWII exhibit is not the only exhibit at the museum. There is also an area given over to the Civil War on the Outer Banks. That is certainly in keeping with their mission. Although it is not as well-known as other battles or campaigns from that time, General Ambrose Burnside’s capture of Ocracoke and Hatteras Inlets and his subsequent capture of Roanoke Island was the first major Union victory of the war.
It’s very possible that sometime in the foreseeable future (three to four years?) the museum gallery will expand. During the unveiling of the new U-Boat model, Director for the North Carolina Maritime Museums Joe Schwarzer announced the state has earmarked $4.2 million to exams the museum and Dare County and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau have agreed to chip in $250,000 each to the project.
That’s enough money to make a difference.
There are so many surprising things to do on the Outer Banks that a one week visit is never enough. Plan that two week visit with Brindley Beach Vacations and take the time to truly explore the Outer Banks.