Project SOW - Students Observing Water

JENNIFER ALLEN

This rendering is of the Smith Family Gathering Room, which is part of the plans for the exhibit gallery at Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center on Harkers Island. (Image contributed)

HARKERS ISLAND — For the past half decade, most of the events at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center have been staged in the education hall because half the building has been a hull with an unfinished interior since the exterior was constructed.

But, things are about to change at the facility at the end of the road.

John Civils, chairman of the museum’s board of directors, announced work is advancing to complete the exhibit gallery, often referred to as “the other side,” with construction set to begin not long after Core Sound Waterfowl Weekend, which is set to kick off with the Friday Night Preview party at 7 p.m. and continue Saturday and Sunday.

The next step in completing the gallery is work on the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system (HVAC) and electrical systems in what is basically just the shell, or the west side of the building if looking at it from the parking lot on the south side of the property.

This will bring the gallery that much closer to what it was intended – a place to house permanent and traveling exhibits.

“It’s not in its finished form,” Mr. Civils said. “This is to complete the physical side of the exhibit hall, then finish the exhibits.”

Also in the plans is to finish the elevator, which will allow people to go into the tower and get a 360-degree view, a vista that includes Cape Lookout Lighthouse, Shackleford Banks, Back Sound, the west end of Harkers Island, The Straits, Browns Island and back around to Core Banks.

“We’re pretty excited about that,” he said. “While it will be a several-month process, we are anxious to have it finished.”

Executive Director Karen Amspacher said,

“The road toward seeing this museum facility has been long and winding, and most of it uphill.”

Mrs. Amspacher added it’s important for supporters to know that funding only covers the first floor and the elevator. An additional $200,000 plus will be needed to complete the second floor with lighting and HVAC.

“We realize the state of the economy and know this task will be difficult, but we cannot back up; move forward we must,” she said.

“We hope by late spring or early summer we can celebrate the completion of the full facility including gallery, library, second floor, elevator and tower. What a wonderful day that will be,” she said.

“Our thanks goes to every member, contributor, partner and volunteer who have given over and over to make this museum and the work we do possible for Down East and for all of Eastern North Carolina.”

The area will be opened for traveling exhibitions, expanded community displays, the library, the gathering room, the gift shop and the tower. Mrs. Amspacher said plans for the gift shop include installing the exterior of Ira Willis’ Community Store still standing in Marshallberg.

“We have designed the exterior of the gift shop to use the windows, siding and framework from that old store,” she said. “The Smith family is already working on the furnishings for the Smith Family Gathering Room where folks can stop and visit in a setting styled after the old hunt clubs.”

Mrs. Amspacher expounded that room is to honor the family of the late Billy Smith, who was an original board member of the waterfowl museum and former county commissioner. His family continues to support the efforts of the museum.

The plan is to open the exhibit gallery with several planned events in July 2009 followed by the Diamond City homecoming in August and the 150th anniversary of Cape Lookout Lighthouse in the fall of 2009.

Those who come out for Core Sound Waterfowl Weekend will see the exhibit hall for the last time in its skeleton form.

The event begins with the Friday Night Preview party. It’s the only event that requires a ticket, which is $150 per couple or $75 for individuals. During the party, Walter and Lockwood Phillips, owners of Carteret Publishing Co. Inc. that publishes the Carteret County News-Times, will be honored along with their families. This event includes the Seafood and Wild Game Extravaganza and the Dessert Reception.

At 8 a.m. Saturday, doors will open at the museum where there will be exhibitors, music, food, community displays, boatbuilders, a federal duck stamp exhibition and more. Live entertainment on the Core Sound Stage begins at 11 a.m. with Lost Girls; noon is Connie Mason; at 1 p.m., the Fish House Liars’ and 2 p.m. is Molasses Creek. The day closes with the 5 p.m. auction where antiques and collectibles will be up for bid.

The doors open at 10 a.m. Sunday following the 8 a.m. fellowship service with the Rev. Kerry Willis.

New this year is the 2 p.m. Sunday World War II veterans’ tribute to remember the 67th anniversary of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor.

For more information, call the museum at 728-1500 or visit www.coresound.com.

While on Harkers Island beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday, there’s more decoy to see at the Core Sound Decoy Festival at Harkers Island School, 1163 Island Road. Admission to the Decoy Festival is $8 daily, or $10 for a two-day pass.

There will be decoy and wildlife art auction, retriever demonstrations, children’s decoy painting, food and the World Champion Loon Calling Contest. For more information call 838-8818, or visit www.decoyguild.com.

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Gallery in the works

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