Old Baldy Lighthouse and Smith Island Museum of History

09/14/2026

📚🐈 Our September Book of the Month has a little bit of everything: murder, mysteries, cats, baked goods, and… sunburn?

This month’s pick is Murder on the Page by Darryl Wood Ge**er, chosen by our Educator & Collections Coordinator Jake Grossman.

Jake admits this young adult “literary dining mystery” might seem like an unexpected choice for a historian and self-proclaimed mystery enthusiast. But between a cat on the cover that looks suspiciously like his own 15-year-old cat, Kitty, and a cozy murder mystery set in a bookstore, he was willing to give it a shot.

His verdict? A joyful, breezy read that delivers. 🍰🔎

Jake’s review includes bookstore murders, English breakfasts, baked goods, Agatha Christie, and a cautionary tale about what happens when you get too absorbed in a mystery and forget to reapply sunscreen. ☀️

If you’re looking for a fun beach read this month, stop by the Old Baldy Museum Shop and pick up a copy!

📖 Get 20% off our September Book of the Month all month long — online or in the Old Baldy Museum Shop.

Read Jake’s full review on our website! https://www.oldbaldy.org/post/september-2026-book-of-the-month-murder-on-the-page-by-darryl-wood-gerber

09/13/2026

🍻 September Historic Happy Hour is almost here!

Join Beth Nevarez and Jake Grossman at Old Baldy for an inside look at some of their favorite artifacts from the Old Baldy Foundation Collection.

They’ll share the stories behind these objects, their connections to Bald Head Island, and what goes on behind the scenes as we research, prepare, and interpret artifacts for future exhibitions.

📅 Tuesday, September 22
⏰ 4:30 PM
📍 Old Baldy Lighthouse
🎟️ $15 — includes the presentation + unlimited beer and wine

Come raise a glass and get a closer look at some of the objects that help tell the story of Bald Head Island.

🎟️ Get your tickets and join us for September Historic Happy Hour! Book yours here: https://shop.oldbaldy.org/module/class/656685/september-2026-historic-happy-hours

09/12/2026

📚 THE BOOKS ARE BACK!

We’ve been busy restocking the Museum Shop, and our bookshelves are looking better than ever! Whether you’re looking to learn something new, find a great beach read, or pick up a book to remember your time on Bald Head Island, we’ve got plenty to browse.

📖 Our nonfiction shelves are packed with new finds, including a whole shelf dedicated to the history of the American South, maritime history, local history, pirates, and so much more.

📚 And fiction lovers, we haven’t forgotten you! Explore our wall of classics, our romances, mysteries, and thrillers, along with a great selection of historical fiction. There’s something for every kind of reader, from stories set centuries ago to page-turners perfect for an afternoon on the beach.

🏮 Lighthouses
⚓ Maritime history
🌊 Cape Fear & coastal history
📜 North Carolina & Southern history
🏴‍☠️ Pirates & seafaring adventures
📚 Classics & historical fiction
💕 Romance
🔎 Mysteries & thrillers
☀️ And plenty of good reads for your next beach day

Stop by the Museum Shop during your next visit to Old Baldy and take a look at what’s new on the shelves! You just might find your next favorite book. 📖✨

09/11/2026

Each year on September 11th, public safety officers climb the steps of Old Baldy to honor the firefighters who climbed the stairs of the World Trade Center towers on that tragic day in 2001.

The climb is a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and service of the first responders who ran toward danger while others were trying to escape.

Today, we remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives, the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice, and the countless others whose lives were forever changed.

From the top of Old Baldy, we pause to remember.

We will never forget.

09/10/2026

📸 A FEW MOMENTS FROM BATTLE OF FORT GEORGE WEEKEND

Still thinking about last weekend?

We are too.

From the living history encampment at Old Baldy to Sunday's reenactments, we captured so many moments that brought the history of Fort George to life.

Swipe through for a few of our favorite moments from the weekend. And find more photos from the event on our website: OldBaldy.org/fortgeorge

Which one was your favorite?

09/09/2026

❤️ THANK YOU FOR MAKING HISTORY WITH US

What a weekend.

From living history and the Duck Race to the History Hub, tintype photography, the Battle of Fort George reenactments, and our Block Party, the past few days have been an incredible celebration of Bald Head Island's history and community.

Thank you to the reenactors, historians, volunteers, partners, vendors, staff, musicians, photographers, visitors, and everyone who helped make the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Fort George a weekend to remember.

Most of all, thank you to everyone who came out to experience history with us.

We'll be sharing more photos from the weekend over the next few days, but for now:

Thank you for helping us keep history alive. ❤️🏮

09/08/2026

🍂 WELCOME, FALL!

Labor Day weekend may be behind us, but there's still plenty to see and do at Old Baldy.

As we move into our fall schedule, we're open:

Tuesday–Saturday
🕙 10 AM–4 PM
🏮 Last lighthouse climb: 3:30 PM

Come climb Old Baldy, explore the Museum of History, browse the Museum Shop, and enjoy a little slower-paced island history this fall.

We'll see you at the lighthouse!

09/06/2026

⚔️ TODAY, WE RETURN TO FORT GEORGE.

The Battle of Fort George reenactments take place today as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of this pivotal moment in Lower Cape Fear history.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE

📜 12 PM–5 PM
History Hub
Bald Head Association Building

⚔️ 12 PM
First Battle of Fort George Reenactment

🎶 12–6 PM
Battle of Fort George Block Party
Ticket Required

⚔️ 1:30 PM
Watch as Cody Cook brings life as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy to life, exploring navigational aids, seafaring skills, and the daily life of crew.

⚔️ 3:30 PM
Second Battle of Fort George Reenactment

⚔️ 4:00 PM
See Taylor Osborne portray Brigadier General Francis Nash, the commander of the 1st North Carolina Regiment.

Come experience the sights and sounds of history on Bald Head Island.

09/06/2026

Unfortunately, we had to cancel our movie night due to lightning, but that doesn’t mean the weekend is over! We will see everyone back at the lighthouse tomorrow for the second half of our Battle of Fort George weekend! ⚔️⛈️

🎬🔎 NATIONAL TREASURE UNDER OLD BALDY

“I’m gonna steal the Declaration of Independence.” 🇺🇸

Okay… maybe don’t actually steal anything. But if you’re going to watch a movie about Revolutionary-era secrets, hidden treasure, and the founding of America to celebrate A250, there’s no better setting than under a 200-year-old lighthouse during our Battle of Fort George weekend!

Join us FREE Saturday, September 5 at 8 PM for an outdoor screening of National Treasure at Old Baldy.

Bring your chairs, blankets, and movie-night snacks and settle in beneath Old Baldy for a night of history, adventure, and a little Nicolas Cage.

📅 Saturday, September 5
⏰ 8 PM
📍 Old Baldy Lighthouse
🎟️ FREE

09/05/2026

🚨Movie night delayed and possibly canceled due to weather. Please watche our socials for updates!

🎬 TONIGHT UNDER OLD BALDY!

The history doesn't stop when the sun goes down.

Join us tonight at 8 PM for an outdoor screening of National Treasure beneath Old Baldy Lighthouse.

Bring your chairs, bring your blankets, and settle in for a movie night with one of North Carolina's oldest lighthouses as your backdrop.

📍 Old Baldy Lighthouse
⏰ 8 PM
🎬 National Treasure

We'll see you under the lighthouse! 🏮🎬