“Flags Over Hatteras” About to Fly Again

Hurricane Irene arrived on Hatteras Island right in the middle of our ‘Flags Over Hatteras’ event last August. Fortunately, we were able to complete the first phase of our three-phase event, which was the Blue-Gray Reunion. Descendents from men who served on either Confederate or Union forces on Hatteras Island (1861-1862) shared stories and artifacts related to their ancestors. This reunion was a phenomenal success.

However, the mandatory evacuation forced us to cancel and reschedule the remaining two phases of ‘Flags Over Hatteras’—which are now set for for April 26-29, 2012. These include the Civil War Conference scheduled for Thursday, April 26- Saturday, April 28, 2012 and the Civil War ‘Living History’ programs at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse scheduled for Saturday, April 28 – Sunday, April 29, 2012.

Rescheduling has not been an easy task given the total number of speakers, presenters, exhibitors and re-enactors participating in our event. The likelihood of finding dates that work for everyone except one featured speaker is amazing. Unfortunately, the only speaker with a conflict that prevents their participation is the nationally known Civil War historian Dr. Ed Bearss. Yet, all is not lost. We were able to film his talk during his recent visit to the Outer Banks History Center. That filmed talk, discussing the Civil War events in eastern North Carolina and Hatteras Island in 1861, will be presented at Thursday evening’s dinner session.

We have added an additional feature to our ‘Flags’ Event by offering a Civil War ‘Lunch at Rodanthe’ on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at noon. The luncheon will be served at the Good Winds Seafood and Wine Bar in Waves (on the sound side of Hwy. # 12).  This luncheon will feature Civil War historian Lee Oxford with a talk entitled “Capture of the Fanny and the Chicamicamico Affair.” This is a real deal for $10. Please go to our website at www.flagsoverhatteras.com to make reservations or call George Mead at 252-564-2667.

Later Thursday afternoon the unveiling and dedication of a new granite Civil War Monument will take place at 4 o’clock, at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, in Hatteras. This is an event you will not want to miss. Several well known speakers are scheduled.

In addition to nationally known Civil war historians Dr. James McPherson (Pulitzer Prize winning author) and Dr. Craig Symonds (Professor Emeritus of the United States Naval Academy), we have many other featured speakers scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. These include Hari Jones, Dr. Patricia Click, Lee Oxford, Dr. Joseph Schwarzer, Kaeli Schurr, Danny Couch, Col. Gary Riggs, and Gerald Roxbury. (I’m on the list of speakers, too!) Three dinner sessions will feature Dr. Ed Bears’s filmed talk on Thursday, then live presentations by Dr. James McPherson on Friday and Dr. Craig Symonds on Saturday. All of these speakers, plus tours of the Civil War exhibit at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, ‘Living History Programs at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Civil War Music featuring John Golden, an Ole’ Time Civil War Auction, refreshments and 3 dinners are included in the ‘Flags Over Hatteras’ Conference Registration fee of $175. Go to www.flagsoverhatteras.com for further details and register now on line.

Living History Programs are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29, 2012 at The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton. These programs include re-enactors performing various military drills, artillery demonstrations, musketry, camp life and a Civil War Era Ladies Fashion Show. This is the first time the National Park Service has permitted such Living History programs on the grounds of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

We are excited about our ‘Flags Over Hatteras’ Civil War Event and the opportunity for residents of the Outer Banks and Hatteras Island to learn of our rich historical heritage from some of our nation’s leading historians. Over two years work and planning has gone into this event in order to produce a quality program. Take advantage of this opportunity and register now!

For further information call the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum at 252-986-2995.