~ 2008 SEASON ~
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 12 noon
to 5:00 p.m.
Tours: Individual and small group tours are
self-guided with the aid of navigational pamphlet. A comprehensive Site Guide
is presented to each group that identifies each building and all the rooms in
both stations. This guide answers all the “what’s that?” questions;
staff and volunteers are eager to answer all of your deeper questions.
Formal Group Tours with Presentation: By
advanced reservations.
Programs: June, July, and August only. All
programs last approximately one hour. Inclement weather may cause programs to
be cancelled for your safety. Staff has the final call as to whether
programs will be cancelled.
Tuesdays @ 7:30 p.m. Beach Bonfire Program.
A brief history of the Service and this site, culminating with details of the
true, daring, and heroic rescues of these brave “storm warriors”, especially the
dramatic S.S. Mirlo rescue story. Family-friendly (but not for
toddlers). Some of the most amazing history you never knew! Bring chairs or
blankets, bug spray (just in case!) and flashlights for an evening adventure on
the beach. Admission stickers purchased in Gift Shop. Arrive early and allow
yourself enough time to walk to the beach program area at the site.
Wednesdays @ 2:00 p.m. “The REAL Taffy of
Torpedo Junction”. Taffy of Torpedo Junction
is a fictional work first published by the University
of North Carolina Press in 1957. In 2008 the book was syndicated in many
newspapers throughout North Carolina, being published in serial fashion one
chapter at a time and used in many classrooms. It tells the dramatic story of a
12-year-old girl living on Hatteras Island and is set during World War Two. The
story was written by Nell Wise Wechter who previously had been a teacher at the
only school on Hatteras Island. One of Mrs. Wechter students was the then
12-year-old Carol Dillon. The Taffy character is based on Ms. Dillon.
Ms. Dillon is alive and well as the
owner/operator of the Outer Banks Motel in Buxton, very near the lighthouse. As
is often the case, the truth is more amazing than fiction. Come hear stories
and eye-witness accounts as told by Ms. Dillon about her life on the Island
during this tumultuous time. Suitable for ALL AGES and highly recommended.
Thursdays @ 2:00 p.m. Beach Apparatus Drill
Reenactment. Also commonly known as the historic Breeches Buoy Rescue
Drill. One of only two places in the entire country to perform the full drill
with live black-powder firing and projectile. ONLY one in the world performed
by active-duty U.S. Coast Guard personnel. A popular event, so come early.
Program begins precisely at 2:00 p.m. Gather at the 1874 Life-Saving Station
after purchasing tickets at the gift shop in the 1911 Life-Saving Station.
Admission:
$6 Adults (ages 18-61)
$4 Seniors (62+)
$4 Youth (ages 6-17)