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The Keeper's Times
The Old Baldy Foundation Community Newsletter
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COVID-19 Reopening Details
As we get closer and closer to normalcy, the Old Baldy Foundation is delighted to be able to reopen and continue sharing in our island's rich history with the Bald Head Island community!
As many are aware, North Carolina's Governor has implemented a phased reopening process. Museums and historic sites are not allowed to reopen until the second phase begins. When this date is officially determined, we will announce reopening details.
In the meantime, retail shops have been allowed to open. We are pleased to host a soft reopening of our gift shop this weekend! The shop will be open today- Saturday from 10-4 pm. Due to the small size of our shop, only two shoppers will be allowed in at one time, and they will be required to wear face coverings. No cash transactions will be accepted, and there will be no restroom facilities available. We will open the Old Baldy grounds for anyone who would like to enjoy our lawn.
Stay tuned to our website and social media channels as we continue to update and make announcements for reopening the shop on a more permanent schedule and eventually, the lighthouse. While we are eager to get back to normal, the Old Baldy Foundation would like to ensure everyone our top priority is the safety and well-being of visitors and staff. We will be taking proper safety precautions and following all regulations set by officials.
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Final Days to take advantage of our duck adoption sale!
Sale goes through
Monday, May 18th!
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We know many of you are used to seeing our smiling volunteers sit outside of the Maritime Market selling ducks for our annual Duck Race! The duck race will take place on Saturday, August 8th, at 2 pm, and the owner of the duck that crosses the finish lines first will win $500!
Since we are unable to continue the tradition of greeting you outside of the Market, we have created an online platform to adopt your duck. Adopt today to take
advantage
of our sale and increase your chances of taking home the grand prize!
Adopt 5 ducks for $50 and receive
1 extra duck for free
Adopt 10 ducks for $100 and receive
2 extra ducks for free
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Updated Calendar of Events
With many spring and early summer events postponed, the Old Baldy Foundation has adjusted our event calendar to find new, safe and innovative ways to honor our island and it's historical significance throughout the summer season!
**This calendar is subject to change as the Old Baldy Foundation plans to adhere to any and all guidelines set by Village and State officials. **
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Coming Up:
Virtual Historic Happy Hour on May 20th-
5 pm
On May 4, 1893, keeper Sonny Dosher welcomed Herbert Bamber to Bald Head Island. Throughout two spring days, Bamber took a series of four photographs depicting Old Baldy Lighthouse near the turn of the 20th century. In many photographs, keeper Dosher stands proudly beneath the Lighthouse, wearing his uniform, posing beside his daughters Lillian and Catherine. These photographs are the oldest known pictures of Old Baldy. Join the Old Baldy Foundation in exploring these photographs and the history of Herbert Bamber at a virtual Historic Happy Hour. Guest speakers, John and Aida Havel from the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society, will be joining us for this virtual celebration!
We will be using the GoToMeeting platform to have up to 50 virtual users join us from their own homes.
Anyone interested in joining must make a reservation. Information on how to join the private live streaming will be emailed before the event.
Due to the virtual nature of this Happy Hour, the event will be "Virtually Free"! Use promo code VirtualHappyHour to sign up at no cost. Donations are gladly accepted and encouraged in place of the registration fee.
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Virtual Memorial Day Service
May 25th- 11:30 AM
The Annual Memorial Day Service is a significant service as we pause to honor soldiers who have paid the ultimate price to serve our country. Old Baldy has been proud to host this event every year for the island community, and it was of utmost importance to continue this tradition despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Please tune in to the Old Baldy Foundation Facebook page as we will broadcast service from the Bald Head Island Chapel. If you are unable to tune in for the live service, the video will later be available on our youtube channel.
Every year at the service, we take a moment to allow audience members to honor a loved one lost in service. Although we will be unable to have an audience, we would still like to allow community members this moment. If you would like to pay homage to a fallen soldier, please email their names along with their branch of service to abby@oldbaldy.org.
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A Call for Volunteers!
This summer, more than ever, Old Baldy will be relying on the help of volunteers to safely control the flow of visitors to the Lighthouse.
We anticipate having to limit the guests in the Lighthouse for the immediate future. Implementing this will require the assistance of volunteers.
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Are you interested in volunteering?
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LOCATION
Old Baldy
DATE AND TIME
04/24/20
1:00pm -
08/31/20
5:00pm
If you are interested in volunteer opportunities please respond below! An Old Baldy staff member will reach out with more information!
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May History Moment
Two hundred and forty-three years ago, dozens of British warships surrounded the waters of Bald Head Island during the Revolutionary War. In May, 1776, two British fleets gathered in the Lower Cape Fear River. The first fleet, under the command of General Sir Henry Clinton, arrived from British-occupied Boston, Massachusetts. The second fleet, under the command of General Charles Cornwallis, arrived from Cork, Ireland. Both British fleets planned to rendezvous at Fort Johnston in modern-day Southport. At Fort Johnston, the British fleets were to be reinforced by an army of loyalist Highland Scots marching from the North Carolina interior, down the Cape Fear River, to the coast. Collectively, the British regulars and Highland Scots sought to quell the rebellion in the colony of North Carolina.
Unfortunately, before any British regulars reached the Cape Fear River, the loyalist army of Highland Scots were defeated by Patriot troops at the Battle of Moore’s Creek on February 27, 1776. In March, General Sir Henry Clinton’s fleet reached the Cape Fear. Nearly two months passed before General Charles Cornwallis’ fleet arrived in the Cape Fear from Ireland. Throughout May, the British regulars launched a series of raids along the banks of the Cape Fear River. These raids often targeted the plantations of Patriot leaders, such as Robert Howe’s plantation, Kendall. British troops regularly skirmished with Patriot troops in Brunswick County, including a confrontation at the Port of Brunswick Town, resulting in at least part of the town being burnt by the British troops.
Between raids and skirmishes, the British contributed to the heritage of Bald Head Island in two lasting ways. Chiefly, the British regulars constructed a small fortification known as Fort George, named after the King of England. Although Fort George’s location is lost to history, British soldiers occupied the fort until September, 1776. Additionally, while stationed on Bald Head Island, a British officer from the 57
th
Regiment of Foot lost a button on their uniform. An archeologist rediscovered this button in the 1986 near Old Baldy Lighthouse.
Most of the British troops left the waters surrounding Bald Head Island in early June, 1776. The British sailed to Charles Town, South Carolina, where Patriot troops repulsed the British fleet at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island on June 28, 1776. British soldiers left behind at Bald Head Island’s Fort George were attacked by the 4
th
North Carolina Continental Troops during the night of September 6 – 7, 1776. Although victorious against the Patriot attackers, the British evacuated Bald Head Island a month later. In May, 1776, Bald Head Island’s military significance was recognized by the invading British troops. Armies would act upon Bald Head’s military significance for wars to come.
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Thank you to our 2020 Annual Sponsors!
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