From Historic Bath State Historic Site

BATH — Historic Bath State Historic Site will host a lecture series through the month of May promoting the Colonial Port of Bath, leading up to the May 28 Port Bath Celebration and Bath Fest.

These exciting talks will feature Gillian Hookway-Jones, a marketing and healthcare professional with an interest in history. This interest turned to research, and it is this research on Port Bath and its importance as the first official port of entry for North Carolina that she will share at Historic Bath. The presentations will focus on Port Bath history, the importance of trade, ships, sea songs and the people.

Port Bath history starts with the petition made by Charles Eden, the governor of North Carolina, in 1715. The official proclamation from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina was signed on August 1, 1716, naming Bath the first official port of entry for trade in the colony. Colonial Robert Palmer later served as the Port Collector from 1753-1772. The house he resided still bears his name, the Palmer-Marsh House, which is one of the houses featured as a historic home tour for Historic Bath.

The lectures will begin at 10:30 a.m. on each listed date at the Historic Bath Visitor Center and are free to the public. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

May 7
“Port Bath, Sea Shanties, Sea Songs, and Scottish Reels and Jigs.” Musician Tim Stanbaugh will be the special guest.

May 14
“Port Bath, British Colonial Customs Service and Sailing Ships.” The special guest will be Bill Dunn, who will have some historical treasures to share.

May 21
“Port Bath, the Townspeople of Colonial Port Bath,” which will include its officials, planter-merchants, men, women and children.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Midyette at the Historic Bath State Historic Site. Call 252-923-3971 for more information.