April 7th 2020
The Keeper's Times 

The Old Baldy Foundation Community Newsletter
Old Baldy CLOSED
due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Old Baldy Foundation is closed and monitoring advice of Government officials with regards to operations in the time of COVID-19. We will remain closed until it is safe for the public to return to Bald Head Island.

During these unprecedented times, the status of programs, tours, events and more at Old Baldy is continuously changing. Due to the fluid nature of our current situation, Old Baldy will be bringing you a bi-monthly edition of the Keeper's Times. We will return to producing only one newsletter per month when we are on the other side of this pandemic.
Virtual Historic Happy Hour April 8th at 5pm!

The Historic Bald Head Island Boathouse is a truly iconic piece of Bald Head Island's story. The structure crumbled to the winds of Hurricane Florence in the fall of 2018. Many islanders now have their own memories of what the Boat House meant to them and how it represents the island paradise of BHI. This Historic Happy Hour will not be a history of the structure itself, but a history of how we remember and celebrate the boat house.

We did not want to cancel this celebration of the Boat House, so we are taking the Happy Hour online! 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 prior to 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.


Check out our new website and online shop!
While we are closed for operations, Old Baldy staff has taken the opportunity to build a new website and online storefront for our museum gift shop!

Our new website features a user friendly way to explore what is happening at Old Baldy. We have an updated history section on our website that includes links to our online archives and subject files. This is a great way to explore our museum virtually!

We have also spent this time building a new online shop! Almost 100 items are available to view and purchase including tee shirts, decor, books, puzzles, children's activities and more!

Don't stop learning in these trying times!

With Old Baldy closed for operations and all upcoming field trips postponed, the Old Baldy Foundation is utilizing live streaming to bring you virtual history lessons and tours!

Join us every Tuesday- Saturday on facebook live for some virtual history programming. The daily schedule is pictured!

Can't make the live broadcast? Don't worry! All History at Home programs will be available on the Old Baldy Youtube Channel!

Is it time to renew your annual pass to Old Baldy?

Last year around this time, the Old Baldy Foundation debuted a new lighthouse annual pass. We were met with great success and rave reviews from the pass holders.

The annual pass program features two tiers with different levels of access to Old Baldy, but both include annual access to climb and tour tickets.

You can renew your annual pass online today!

This is a great way to support Old Baldy durning these trying times. All annual passes purchased while we are shut down due to COVID- 19 will have the start date as the date we reopen.

Upcoming Events:

Our 2020 event calendar was released last month! While we hope the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the festivities is minimal, we have begun postponing and making new arrangements for the upcoming events.

2020 Run for the Light
Sunday, August 9th 6pm

With the uncertainty of the coming months on our minds, the Old Baldy Foundation is hopeful we will be on the other side of COVID-19 by our 5th Annual Run for the Light!

Registration for the race is open! We have early bird pricing through April 15th so register today for a great deal!

Adopt a Duck for a chance to win $500!

Our readers that frequent the Maritime Market durning the spring and summer may be accustomed to seeing smiling Old Baldy volunteers selling ducks for our annual duck race!

Our volunteers were getting everything in order to begin selling ducks over Easter, but COVID-19 has changed those plans. Instead of waiting to adopt your duck at the market, how about adopt your duck online?

It is just $10 to adopt one duck for the race, but you can spend $100 and receive a bonus duck and have eleven ducks enter the race. The owner of the winning duck will win $500!

The duck race will take place over National Lighthouse Weekend on Saturday, August 8th at 2pm. We invite you to join the festivities, but you do not need to be present to win. We will contact the winner immediately after the race!

"Then and Now Home Tour" Postponed until Saturday, October 10th
The original date of the "Then and Now Home Tour" was Saturday, May 9th.

Although this is proving to be a fluid situation with changes occurring daily, we feel it is best to postpone this event until the fall. Homeowners generously open their doors to allow our guests to tour their homes. We want both our guests and the homeowners to feel as comfortable as possible, and with the current situation it seemed best to postpone.

We hope you join us this fall on Saturday, October 10th for our annual Home Tour!
2020 Sponsorship Opportunities!

As the Old Baldy Foundation changes event plans due to
COVID-19, we remain hopeful a majority of our yearly festivities will still be able to take place! We understand that this pandemic has created financial hardships, in addition to the many health worries, but still would like to extend an invitation to work with the Old Baldy Foundation as a sponsor in 2020!

Our sponsorship package was created prior to the widespread implications of the pandemic. We are eager to work with anyone to customize a sponsorship package that fits your needs or create an in-kind sponsorship arrangement.


By supporting the Old Baldy Foundation as a sponsor, not only will you be directly helping the Old Baldy Foundation work to preserve Old Baldy as a beloved monument to North Carolina, but you will receive exclusive access to the events and unique marketing opportunities.

  Follow us on facebook and instagram! Visit us at  www.oldbaldy.org