One of the exhibits on the museum nature trail has recently been moved and enlarged. The shad boat has a new location and a new roof with ample space for visitors.
The Round bottom shad boat . . .
also known as Croatan fishing boat, Pamilco Sound boat, Albemarle Sound boat, Dare County shad boat and spritsail shad boat originated on Roanoke Island in the late 1800’s and was used through the early 1900’s. It was declared the Official State Historic Boat in 1987. With a shallow draft, it was sturdy and flexible as a working vessel.
This boat was built around 1927 by Joseph Stewart Midgett of Mashoes, NC, (1898– 1961) and was operated with the traditional spritsail. The mast was converted for crab netting in the 1970’s and removed when crab pots replaced fishing/crab lines. It continued as a working boat until 1984. Stewart’s love of the water reflected his deep appreciation for the natural world and his Native American heritage which was supported by family stories and oral history.