Southport Magazine

Volunteers participate in a past Park Day to enhance the NC Maritime Museum at Southport. Courtesy photo

What: Park Day
When: Sat., April 5th • 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: NC Maritime Museum
204 E. Moore St., Southport
Cost: FREE
Info: www.ncmaritimemuseums.com

“During World War II, families grew Victory Gardens to ease food production and aid the war effort, but did you know, during the Civil War all of the contiguous forts in the Lower Cape Fear had soldier gardens to help feed the troops?” Lori Sanderlin, Curator of Education for the NC Maritime Museum at Southport, explains the impetus for the museum’s latest project: a raised bed Victory Garden. While the museum has been participating in Park Day—wherein volunteers help clean-up the museum grounds—for a few years, the Victory Garden is a task the history buffs are particularly excited to undertake.

The NC Maritime Museum at Southport has limited staff, relying on volunteers to tackle maintenance while employees plan engaging programs such as the monthly Third Tuesday Evening Adult Program, where speakers chat in-depth about unique historical interests. Thus, for the 2014 Park Day, being held on Saturday, April 5th, the museum is requesting volunteers to offer their time and talents.

“The museum is located on a historically significant site and is a proud steward of our maritime history,” Sharon Venis, volunteer coordinator, explains. “The museum occupies the footprint of the original Fort Johnston soldier barracks. We continue to strive to interpret and educate visitors using the museum and grounds as a teaching tool.”

Volunteers will be asked to clean out shrub beds and paint the museum doors and trim, as well as clean up the Fort Johnston Civil War fortification along the Cape Fear River. For their work, participants will earn hot dog lunches, free T-shirts, and badges.

Tools will be provided, and volunteers need to wear clothing and closed-toe shoes that can get muddy. Individuals need to supply their own yard gloves, sun screen and insect repellent.

“The community feels connected to our rich maritime history and experiences a sense of ownership and pride when they spend their free time lending a helping hand,” Venis adds. “We have volunteers who are coming back for their third year—that’s as many years as the museum has been participating in Park Day. We work hard, but it’s really about having fun!”

Registration is required, she notes, even if it’s at the last minute. To sign up, call (910) 457-0003 or e-mail sharon.venis@ncdcr.gov.