Calendar

Ft. Macon will be open for a rare evening of education and entertainment on Saturday November 13, as the Park hosts a “Stroll Through Time”, with actors portraying some of the remarkable people who served, worked and lived at the Fort since the early 1800’s. Visitors will be taken through the Fort, along a candle-lit path, to see and hear the story of some famous and some not-so-famous occupants from the past. Did you know that Gen’l Robert E. Lee worked here for a time as a Captain of Engineers? Ever imagine the feared union Gen’l. Ambrose Burnside was in the area? These and many other “ghosts” from the past will inform and entertain, and the setting—Ft. Macon at night—is a rare experience in itself. Adding to the evening will be period musicians, a drummer to signal each stage of the tour, and other sights and sounds to transport you into the Fort’s fascinating past.

This special event is free of charge (donations appreciated for future events and exhibit enhancements) and will be brought to you by the Fort staff and the Friends of Ft. Macon. Volunteers, including staff, Friends, and local Scouts will usher visitors through each stop on the tour.

The “Stroll Through Time” will run from 6 until approximately 8 P.M. We ask that our guests figure on coming between 6 and 7 to help us spread out the crowd into small tour groups. The tours themselves will take about 45 minutes.

Any detailed information needed can be obtained by calling the Fort office at 252-726-3775. Have a fun evening with us and learn about, or be reminded of, the people and events at historic Ft. Macon! Click Here for more details.

January 4th -The speaker is Keith Rittmaster, Natural Science Curator, Maritime Museum in Beaufort, and the title of his lively presentation is called "Bonehenge" -- the creation of a skeletal display from a stranded sperm whale. In January 2004 a 33.5 ft male sperm whale washed ashore at Cape Lookout -- the carcass was buried, and the bones collected to form a display of bones, teeth, spermaceti oil, etc. The speaker will describe all aspects of the sperm whale, the purpose of "Bonehenge", and will have display items for the audience to examine

February 1st -The speaker is John F. "Pancho" Smith, Regional Patrol Commander at U.S. Forest Service. He has a BSc in Range and Wildlife Management from University of Arizona, and supervises officers in Arizona, New Mexico and portions of Oklahoma and Texas. The subject of his talk is the Croatan National Forest and its connections to this area.

February 1st -The speaker is Kevin Beck, Ranger at Hammocks Beach State Park, and he will talk about Fort Huggins. This is a Confederate 6-gun fort guarding the entrance to Bogue Inlet, which was burned by Union troops on August 19, 1862.

April 2nd -The speaker will be Charles Thomas, Manager, West side of Morehead City Port. He has been with the port for over 30 years, and will talk about the port, its operation, how it impacts our community, and the future of the port.

<>May 5th -The speaker will be Dr. David Skaggs, a well-known author and Professor Emeritus at Bowling Green State University, will present “The Last Anglo-American War, 1812-15” at Ft. Macon’s Coastal Education and Visitor Center on May 5, at 11 AM. The event is co-sponsored by the New Bern English Speaking Union and the Friends of Ft. Macon. Dr. Skaggs will provide an overview of the War of 1812—its causes, course and consequences. The War gave the United States a national anthem and a new set of heroes, is central to Canadian national identity, and yet remains unknown to most Britons. The conflict stands as a case study in diplomatic failure, political arrogance, military ineptitude, Native American betrayal and conflict resolution. Dr. Skaggs taught at Bowling Green State University from 1965—2001, and now is Professor Emeritus in History. He is author and editor of fifteen books and numerous scholarly articles, and is the recipient of the USS Constitution Museum’s 2012 Samuel Eliot Morison Award for his contributions to the naval history of the War of 1812.

Concerts at the Fort

Summer Concerts & Ice Cream Social Sponsored by Parker Pontiac—Buick—GMC and Parker Honda of Morehead City.
All our concerts are FREE, from 7-8 PM, and historic Ft. Macon’s “sally port” doors open early for picnickers (no alcohol) and all who want to take in the beautiful setting. Sit up on the ramparts, watch the sunset, see the boats coming in Beaufort inlet, and listen to great music—this is one of the Crystal Coast’s real treats! The shows are just a part of what Ft. Macon State Park has to offer. There are over 400 acres of beauty, great beaches, nature walks through the dunes, fishing and swimming—and at the Fort there are history tours daily and other activities all through the year. We have had record-breaking attendance when the weather cooperates (over 800 people came to the Unknown Tongues show on June 19). Unfortunately, two other shows in June were cancelled due to T-Storms. We’re hoping to get back on the winning streak this week and for the rest of the Summer!! These shows seem to be a staple in the area on Friday evenings, and the Friends are proud to be running them for 12 years now. As is everything we do at the Fort…the shows are FREE…we sometimes get enough in donations to cover expenses (we even had enough left over from last year to buy a 12 x 18 ft flag to fly over the Fort until the Rangers get their budget renewed), but our commitment is simply to help people enjoy the place and learn. Fort Macon State Park is located at the end of East Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach. Call the Park at 726-3775 for more information, or Tom Kelly at 354-5259 about the concerts. Bring lawn chair or blanket. Picnic Baskets (non-alcoholic) welcome.
June 1, Carteret Sunshine Band (Large Orchestra) Based in Carteret County and composed of local musicians, music educators and students and graduates, this “big band” prepares a repertoire sure to please everyone! They play show and pop tunes, movie themes, contemporary hits and patriotic anthems arranged especially for our summertime crowd
June 15, Unknown Tongues (Zydeco) Unknown Tongues is a well-known and very popular Cajun/Zydeco band that livens up any venue with their special personality and infectious music. They turn the austere Fort’s parade ground into a Mardi Gras party for the evening!
June 22, Samantha Casey and the Bluegrass Jam (Bluegrass) Samantha Casey & The Bluegrass Jam from Eastern NC offers entertainment for all ages with their fun–filled show of traditional and original bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and fiddle tunes. They have entertained churches, retirement homes, civic organizations, and bluegrass audiences throughout Eastern NC since 2003. Featuring 15–year old Samantha Casey on fiddle, this group is sure to please all with their solid instrumentation and harmony vocals. Samantha is joined by her dad Daniel Casey (banjo), Jeff Huffman (guitar), and Dell Tims (bass).
June 29, Scearce & Ketner (Carolina Acoustic Rock) Dicky Scearce and Jack Ketner have been performing their special brand of “Carolina Pyrate Rock” from Boston Mass. to Key West for nearly a decade, and have built a solid following of fans here in Eastern Carolina. Their music incorporates a mix of island, beach, Jimmy Buffet tunes and originals. Really too diverse to be categorized, they combine great voices, a variety of acoustic instruments, and the personality and ease of guys who do this for a living. Surrounded by the Fort’s interior walls, even our biggest crowds have a sense of intimacy with the performers—the acoustics inside the Fort are great, and Scearce & Ketner are sure to make for an evening of great music and great fun.
July 13, Wild Honey (Folk, Country, Blues) Wild Honey is an acoustic country rock duo comprised of vocalist/guitar player Angie Cooper and multi-instrumentalist and singer Matt Miller. While sharing a love for the early country rock of Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, The Eagles and others, they also cover beach, rock, and other pop music along with a few blues tunes. Angie’s sweet vocals and Matt’s earthy singing and playing work extremely well together, and they both have had a wide range of musical experiences before forming Wild Honey. Angie, who originally hails from Hickory, NC, has performed with church groups and the popular praise band Still Waters based in Swansboro. Very active in the local arts and music scene, she organizes shows for “Swanfest” and is Co-President of the Seaside Arts Council, which brings music and other performing arts to the Western Carteret/Eastern Onslow area. Matt has performed solo and in bands from NYC to Atlanta to St. Thomas. In addition to guitar, he also plays harmonica, mandolin and occasionally banjo. They play familiar songs that catch the audience singing along, while also keeping it interesting with lesser known great tunes. Together, they bring listeners a thoroughly enjoyable musical experience—Wild Honey!
July 27, Morehead Brass Consortium (Pop, Classics) The Morehead Brass Consortium is an all-brass ensemble comprised of a group of local professionals who have been playing together for 15 years. The group has performed at indoor and outdoor concert series, churches and schools throughout eastern North Carolina. They have a diverse repertoire of music arranged for brass that spans across pop, folk, jazz and classical.
August 10, Conch Stew (Contemporary ) Conch Stew plays an assortment of contemporary music, from beach to country to pop “cover” music. This will be their first time performing at the Fort Macon Concert Series.

Daily Fort tours April 14 through November 15
11 am, 12 noon, 2pm & 3 pm - weather permitting
NOTE: Tours will also be available between Christmas and New Years

Nature tours and talks
Call 252-726-3775 for schedule

Musket firing demonstrations

Musket firing demonstrations will be at 10:30 am and at 2:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays during June, July and August. Admission is free.

Cannon Firing Demonstrations by the Fort Macon Guards ---- dates and times to be announced ----