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The Keeper's Times
The Old Baldy Foundation Community Newsletter
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National Lighthouse Weekend
Friday, August 4th - Sunday, August 6th
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During the weekend of August 4th-6th, The Old Baldy Foundation, which oversees the preservation of the 206-year-old lighthouse, will celebrate National Lighthouse Weekend with a roster of activities showcasing history, art, music, spirits and our Annual Run for the Light 5k/10k and 1 Mile Fun Run!
Join us Friday, August 4th at 6p.m. at Captain Charlie’s Cottages, overlooking Frying Pan Shoals, for an evening celebrating Cape Fear Light Station Circa 1903-1958.
Enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres presented by The Shoals Club, while socializing with descendants who will tell their stories of staying in the cottages and more!
Then, make you way down to the Cape Fear Light Station for an evening of fun with a presentation by our very own Educator, Jake Grossman!
Enjoy music and dancing, wine, local craft beer from Flying Machine Brewery and cocktails from local distiller, Blue Shark Vodka!
This is a ticketed event. Must make reservations in advance.
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Join in the fun Sunday, August 6th from Noon - 4 p.m. with our Artisan gathering, NC Marketplace! This artisan gathering will feature local food purveyors, décor, arts, handcrafted drinks and more.
Stop by to shop for the freshest local ingredients to whip up dinner in your coastal kitchen or look for the perfect new piece to go in your home.
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Our Annual Summer highlight, The Old Baldy Foundation’s Run for the Light 5k/10k and 1 Mile Fun Run will take place Sunday, August 6th on Bald Head Island!
10k starts at 6 p.m.
5k begins at 6:30 p.m.
1 Mile Fun Run starts at 6:35 p.m.
Awards 7:15 p.m.
Don’t miss out on these upcoming events! All proceeds go towards the mission of The Old Baldy Foundation.
The event is made possible by the sponsors and volunteers who support the Old Baldy Foundation.
For information, prices and tickets for the entire weekend, go to oldbaldy.org or call 910-457-7481.
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Collections Spotlight
Written by Jake Grossman
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For this month’s collections spotlight I am going to shake it up and not highlight a single object from our collection, but multiple of them.
These small nearly identical objects led to hundreds of thousands of deaths during the American Civil War. I am, of course, talking about Minié balls. A Minié ball was the main projectile soldiers used during the American Civil War. Rifling, or spiraled grooves on the inside of a gun’s barrel, put spin on the projectile making it more accurate. Rifling was
not new, however, people could not figure out how to achieve a tight enough fit for the projectile to engage the grooves. Previous projectiles needed to be jammed down the barrel or wrapped in greased linen to catch the grooves. Even so, the fit was still not complete and the rate of fire much slower than a smoothbore. For instance, during the American Revolutionary War, a rifle was accurate from 300 yards, but it took over a minute to reload. On the contrary, a smoothbore musket was accurate from 120 yards,
but only took 25 seconds to reload and fire. Claude-Etienne Minié and Henri-Gustave Dolvigue solved that problem with a conical shaped projectile that had a hollow back with ridges on the outside. The narrow Minié ball easily slid down the barrel, but upon firing would expand and engage the groves. The invention resulted in improved accuracy
and a faster muzzle velocity.
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Improved accuracy resulted in a couple brutal developments. Firstly, bayonet charges were no longer viable as the aggressors would be decimated before closing into range. Previously, artillerymen would employ grape shot to stop infantrymen charges. Grape shot or canister shot was a group of cast iron golf balls fired out of a cannon making it similar to a gigantic shotgun. The improved range of the Minié ball, however, allowed riflemen to pick off artillerymen from outside the range of grape shot. Additionally, armies needed to be closely packed enough in order to communicate via hear bugle, drum, or signal flags. All of those factors resulted in more soldiers being exposed to fire. Meanwhile, the faster muzzle velocity caused Minié balls to shatter bones and cause more severe wounds than muskets. This resulted in more amputations that all too often led to infection and death. 90% of the 620,000 deaths during the American Civil War (about as many deaths during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, combined) were caused by Minié balls. Although the Minié ball was phased out by 1870 due to breech loading weapons, in its short period of use it inflicted unfathomable carnage. |
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Sources -
https://gettysburgcompiler.org/2019/04/30/small-but-deadly-the-minie-ball/
Howey, Allan W. “The Rifle-Musket and the Minié Ball.” https://www.historynet.com/minie-ball/?r
World History Group. Oct. 1999.
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A look at The Old Baldy Foundation’s
North Carolina Treasures Weekend
By Stacy Kopp, Communications and Development Coordinator;
The Old Baldy Foundation
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The Old Baldy Foundation celebrated North Carolina Treasures, June 9th-11th with a roster of events showcasing the best of the state’s arts, history and spirits!
The weekend’s highlights featured a themed Evening under the Stars, “1970’s and the Generator Society" event, with a presentation and book signing by Author Mary-Kathryn Moore. She wrote Bald Head Island: The Early Years: Memories, Mishaps, and Merriment. Guests arrived in their Generator Society attire and enjoyed inspiring true stories of the people who stewarded the transition of Bald Head Island from an isolated barrier island into a relaxing destination oasis. We are grateful for our Sponsors; Flying Machine Brewery and End of Days Distillery for providing craft beer and cocktails! Delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres presented by The Shoals Club. A huge shoutout to DJ Fray for providing music for guests to dance the evening away to.
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Thank you to everyone that stopped by and showed your support Saturday, June 10th, for our Bring Home the Light Meet & Greet to preview and ask questions about our plans for our new Interpretive Center!
In addition, a huge thank you to our vendors and everyone that joined us Sunday, June 11th for our North Carolina Marketplace. This artisan gathering featured local food purveyors, décor, arts, and more! This event celebrated the talented vendors who represent North Carolina’s rich history and landscape
with their work. Join us for our next NC Marketplace, Sunday August 6th
from Noon - 4:00 p.m.
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The event was made possible by the sponsors and volunteers who support the Old Baldy Foundation. |
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A look at our Annual The 4th of July Golf Cart Parade!
This beloved island tradition made its mark this year! We had a plethora of golf carts participate!
They arrived at Marina Park adorned in their Patriotic, Anything BHI or Tacky Tourist decor! Carts made their way around the island as spectators were in awe of the creativity this island has to offer!
We want to thank all participants, spectators, judges and volunteers! This parade would not be possible without you!
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Do you know a student or adult looking for a Summer job?
The Old Baldy Foundation is looking for a full-time employee to assist in the Old Baldy Gift Shop!
No retail experience necessary, but is a plus. We will provide on-the-job training.
Stop by the Old Baldy Gift Shop or email Christy Jenkins, Gift Shop Manager at christy@oldabaldy.org if you would like to be a part of the Old Baldy Family!
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