Decoy
making has long been an established tradition in coastal
North Carolina. Like other everyday activities that
become obsolete with a changing lifestyle, the practice
of turning wood into ducks had been taken for granted,
ignored, possibly even forgotten. What was once an
everyday practice might have become extinct had it
not been for those whose love and appreciation for
the art had been passed down through generations and
outweighed the changes taking place around them.
This
has been true for every waterfowling area across the
country, including eastern NC and Carteret County
in particular. Though decoy making has been a part
of the culture for generations, a formal effort to
renew the craft had not been made until the Decoy
Carvers Guild was formed in 1987. The organization's
stated purpose read: "To encourage support and interest
in migratory waterfowl preservation, and to share
ideas and perpetuate carving, painting and taxidermy
of waterfowl and related items."
Decoys
have become a symbol of the heritage of eastern North
Carolina. Used by Indians as well as settlers, these
tools were an essential part of the individual's equipment
in utilizing the natural resources for survival. The
mission of the Decoy Carvers Guild and the success
of the Decoy Festival brought to light the need for
a more permanent contribution in preserving this waterfowl
heritage. Other institutions in the area acknowledge
the importance of waterfowl to the total cultural
history of North Carolina, but an interpretation of
waterfowling in the Core Sound area has not been made.
In
waterfowl areas across the country organizations have
successfully established museums that serve as regional
centers for perpetuating folk art and occupational
traditions. These facilities serve as heritage centers
for documenting and preserving each area's unique
history, at the same time become important hallmarks
in preserving the local traditions that give each
its own sense of place through the interpretation
of its cultural and natural history. Through the story
of Core Sound waterfowling heritage the museum has
expanded its mission to include the CORE SOUND STORY
... the history of its communities, the perpetuation
and support of its local craftsmen, the importance
of protecting its natural resources and all the traditions
that make up this coastal way of life.
To
accomplish these goals, a facility was needed. The
groundwork for such a resource in eastern Carteret
County in February of 1992. The Core Sound Waterfowl
Museum, Inc. was created and a 21-member Board of
Directors was appointed including carvers, area businessmen,
and local government representatives. The first meeting
took place in March where a preliminary proposal for
a museum project was presented. After investigating
all the undeveloped sites on the island it was determined
that a tract of land within the National Park Service
property at Shell Point provided the greatest potential
for a museum project. It was decided to pursue a lease
agreement with Cape Lookout National Seashore as a
building site for the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum.
This
proposal was presented to North Carolina's Congressional
delegation and to the Superintendent's Office of Cape
Lookout National Seashore. With the approval and support
of the late Senator Terry Sanford, Senator Jesse Helms,
Representative Walter B. Jones and a special interest
from former Representative Martin Lancaster, the appropriate
meetings were held and a Memorandum of Understanding
was signed on November 30, 1993, allowing construction
of the Waterfowl Museum within Cape Lookout National
Seashore on Harkers Island.
This
project also includes a 4-acre freshwater waterfowl
habitat area (on site) that has garnered the support
and expertise of Ducks Unlimited, the NC Wildlife
Commission, US Fish & Wildlife, the Forestry Service,
the NC Wildlife Habitat Foundation and the National
Park Service. Hiking trails, view platforms and programming
is now open to the public throughout the year.
Fund
raising for the new museum facility began in May of
1996 with a goal of $1 million for the first phase
of site development. This effort was reached in 1997
and clearing on the site of the Core Sound Waterfowl
Museum began in November of 1997. In August of 1998,
the contract for construction of Phase I of the new
museum facility was awarded to Thomas Simpson Construction
Co. of Morehead City. This contract provided the building
shell for the entire 20,000 sf museum building. Contracts
for site work and building pad preparation was awarded
to L. A. Downey and work was completed on this site
development in January 1999.
Construction
on the building began in February 1999 and as of November
2000, the exterior is 98% completed (with only back
porches and decks to be done) and second floor framework
is being completed. Despite hurricanes and floods
and the fund raising challenges the fall of 1999 brought
to eastern North Carolina, progress has continued,
although not at the pace Museum officials had hoped.
The economic effects of Floyd drained both local resources
and foundation giving as counties inland worked to
rebuild their communities.
Since
2000, the Museum has worked on an even more important
part of this project “building” the Museum’s educational
programming plans, developing the exhibit outline
and establishing the committee and staff resources
the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum will need to meet
the needs and potential the new facility will bring.
With the support and leadership of the NC Arts Council
and Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, research and planning
are now in-process for an exhibit and long-range programming
plan that will give the Waterfowl Museum a working
vision that will serve the communities of Down East
for the future, as well as preserving its past.
Now
the Museum board’s goal is to have the educational
area of the building completed by Spring 2003 so that
Museum operations can move into this new facility
to begin the WORK of the Museum. The board and staff
have much to work to do to prepare for that move,
but accept that challenge with enthusiasm and confidence
that the reality of this building will be a constant
reminder of what OUR MEMBERS can do.
This
project is expected to reach more than $3.4 million
in total community investment upon completion. It
will provide both educational and economic opportunities
to the entire county, but most of all will provide
the “people of Down East” a place where their heritage
can be shared with generations to come.
