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The Keeper's Times
The Old Baldy Foundation Community Newsletter
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As the Old Baldy Foundation looks back on a challenging and unique year, we head into 2021 filled with hope and purpose for the year ahead!
COVID-19 provided unprecedented challenges for our organization in the closure of operations for the majority of the year. However, it allowed us an opportunity to share the rich history of our island home with a much broader virtual community. We cherish the new supporters of our organization who have joined us for many virtual lessons and celebrations. In addition, we are hopeful to see many familiar faces who have spent the year safely hunkering down rejoin us in 2021 for some of our beloved BHI celebrations. We are thrilled to enjoy the Holiday season with our virtual and island community in a safe manner!
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Holiday Hours and Operations at Old Baldy
Thursday, December 24 —
Lighthouse and gift shop open from 10:00 am-1:00 pm
December 25th-27th -
Closed
Monday, December 28 through Thursday, December 31 —
Open 10:00 am- 4 pm (Last lighthouse climb at 3 pm)
Friday, January 1, 2021 —
CLOSED
Saturday, January 2, 2021—
10:00 am- 4 pm (last lighthouse climb at 3 pm)
**Old Baldy will close on Sunday, January 3rd for the winter season and will reopen in March 2021. **
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COVID-19 Operation Details
The lighthouse and museum remain open in compliance with local and state COVID-19 regulations. We have enforced the following regulations to ensure a safe experience at our facilities!
Only one group/family in the lighthouse or shop at one time.
No cash will be accepted- only card transactions.
Face coverings will be required.
The bathroom facilities will remain closed.
Hand sanitizer will be available for all shoppers.
We can't wait to see everyone safely and responsibly!
Regular December Hours:
Gift Shop Hours:
Tuesday- Saturday 10-4 pm
Lighthouse and Museum Hours:
Tuesday- Saturday 10-3 pm
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It is time for our annual Holiday tradition!
On Sunday, December 27th, from 5pm – 6pm, the Old Baldy Foundation will present their third annual candlelight program.
This year, living historians will portray Christmas, 1718, when the Carolinas were reeling from the execution of pirate Stede Bonnet and the death of Blackbeard at the Battle of Ocracoke. Hundreds of luminaries will decorate the Old Baldy grounds.
The event is free, but advanced registration is required at oldbaldy.org. Please bring lawn chairs for social distancing, snacks, and libations, since no food or drink will be served this year. Dress for the weather, as the event will be outdoors, and don't forget your masks! This program will also be live-streamed on Old Baldy's Facebook Page, so please tune in if you cannot join us on Bald Head Island.
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Catch up on all things Stede Bonnet before the candle light Historic Happy Hour!
Have you been following along this fall as Old Baldy historians have interpreted and retold the stories of the final months of Stede Bonnet's life? While the Old Baldy Foundation has long honored the heritage of pirate history on our Cape Fear waters, this year our historians were able to dive deeper into what truly transpired. You can catch up on all of the research that has taken place with a library videos published to our youtube channel which is linked below!
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Shop Local at Old Baldy!
Are you spending the Holidays on BHI and need some last-minute gifts? Stop by the Old Baldy gift shop to pick up gifts curated for lover of all things coastal living, Bald Head Island, history, gourmet goods, and more.
By shopping at Old Baldy, know your hard-earned dollars are supporting local businesses and going towards the mission of the Old Baldy Foundation. Your purchase will be a part of the legacy of the Old Baldy Lighthouse, as the proceeds will directly help preservation efforts to keep the lighthouse standing for years to come!
Shop at our online store to have your order ready for pickup! We can no longer guarantee delivery by the Holidays but preselect your order and have it ready to pick up. Visit our shop below!
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December History Moment
Historian Ethel Herring intimately depicted Christmas in the year 1911 on Bald Head Island in her groundbreaking 1967 book, Cap’n Charlie and the Lights of the Lower Cape Fear. In 1911, several families called Bald Head Island home, including the three light keeper families at Cape Fear Light Station and the surfmen stationed at Cape Fear Life-Saving Station on East Beach. Together, the community celebrated Christmas by decorating the three keeper’s cottages, known today as Cap’n Charlie’s Station, with fresh flora collected from the island’s maritime forest. A cedar tree, decorated with ornaments sent from Charleston, South Carolina, by Cap’n Charlie’s mother-in-law, served as the community Christmas tree. Each member of the community gave a light keeper’s daughter money to purchase gifts from Southport. Extra supplies and ingredients for a festive meal were also purchased in Southport and brought over to Bald Head.
On Christmas day, Cap’n Charlie held an open house for the community. The day began with the neighborhood reading passages from The Bible and signing Christmas carols. After the Christmas meal, presents were opened while Cap’n Charlie served libations and cigars to the light keepers and surfmen. That evening, the community was surprised with fireworks, sent with the decorations from Charleston by Cap’n Charlie’s mother-in-law. Christmas in 1911 ended with Cape Fear being illuminated with a colorful array of fireworks beaming across the Atlantic Ocean. For the children of the light keepers, it was a Christmas they would never forget.
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Thank you to our 2020 Annual Sponsors! |
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Fitz-Hugh Family
John & Kim Gottshall
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