Museum of the Albemarle

The Museum of the Albemarle (MOA) will celebrate its 50th anniversary
in May 2017. In last month’s issue we discussed life at
the museum in the 1990s. This issue of Albemarle Tradewinds
will focus on the museum in the 21st century.
MOA moved from its location on US Highway 17 South to the
large green building on Water Street in Elizabeth City in 2005.
Artifacts that were once held all across Elizabeth City in various
storage areas were moved to the new 7,780 square foot collections
storage area. On May 1, 2006 the Museum hosted a Grand
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with state and local dignitaries along
with staff and the public.
For half a century, MOA has presented over 170 exhibits reflecting
on topics ranging from Native American life, paper dolls,
baseball, the Civil War, moonshine, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Each exhibit giving visitors a look into life in the Albemarle region
and beyond. Volunteers and Junior Docents have assisted to
presenting programs such as A Night at the BOO-seum!, Civil
War Living History Day, and Archaeology Day to our growing
number of visitors. Directors Edward Merrell and William J. Mc-
Crea have steered the museum toward success in this century
so far.
In the past few years, MOA has offered travelling exhibits to
institutions across the state including Grandfather Mountain, the
Barker House in Edenton, the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife
Education, Tryon Palace, and libraries in Manteo, Kill Devil Hills,
Gates, Pasquotank, and Camden Counties. 295,213 guests
visited institutions where MOA placed a travelling exhibit for the
2015-2016 fiscal year.
As the museum marks its half century, the dreams of those
dedicated individuals 50 years ago continue to come to fruition
as it continues to grow with new exhibits, programs, and lectures.
Through new technology such as Audio Tours, the museum connects
with visitors virtually. MOA will begin to explore more partnerships
with other institutions both locally and abroad to bring
new exhibits and research to our visitors in the upcoming years.
Conservation will continue to be performed on our collections in
the next half century. Over $40,000 was raised for artifact conservation
in the past 6 years through generous donations from
individuals and organizations and through fundraising by the
Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle and programs such as
Adopt an Artifact and North Carolina Preservation Consortium.
Artifacts such as the circa 1863 Cox portrait, a circa 1872 Masonic
Apron, World War I uniforms, an 1886 silk quilt, and numerous
wedding dresses have all been saved for future generations
by the conservation efforts.
MOA has grown to be loved by our visitors and seen as an integral
part of northeastern North Carolina’s tourist attractions. Recently,
the World’s Largest Travel Site, Trip Advisor, ranked MOA
as the #1 “Thing To Do in Elizabeth City.” In the future MOA will
continue to make a cultural impact on the region. Join us in 2017
to celebrate MOA’s 50th birthday. Check out or social media sites
for all the birthday events, programs, and exhibits.