Roanoke River Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

09/06/2026

09/04/2026

Adventure awaits on the way to the Outer Banks! Be sure to stop in Plymouth and visit the Roanoke River Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, the Port O'Plymouth Museum, and God's Creation wildlife Museum along the waterfront in downtown Plymouth. Just turn left at Walgreens on Hwy 64 and follow Washington Street to the waterfront along Water Street.

08/28/2026

🧵 Washingtons Unite: Celebrating Washington County’s Heritage for America 250 🇺🇸

A special piece of history is coming to Washington County as we join in the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary!

The Washingtons Unite quilt will arrive in Washington County on September 5 and will be on public exhibit September 9 – 12 at the Roanoke River Lighthouse and Maritime Museum on Water Street in Plymouth, from 11 AM to 3 PM each day.

This meaningful exhibit will bring the Washingtons Unite quilt together with treasured quilts made in the small settlements throughout Washington County, representing at least a dozen local communities.

Many of these quilts are more than 50 years old, with one made before the 1950s. Loaned by grandchildren and great-grandchildren, these quilts are more than works of fabric and design. They are pieces of family history, reminders of community life, and lasting symbols of the legacy passed down by earlier generations. ❤️

Looking to the future, our county’s 4H agent has been working with local youth in the design and creation of a 2026 quilt. Together, the national quilt and the local quilts, both old and new, create a unified story of heritage, connection, and celebration.

The commemoration will continue with a special reception on Sunday, September 13, from 3 to 5 PM at the Roanoke River Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. Local and state dignitaries are being invited to attend as Washington County recognizes this historic commemoration and celebrates our county’s contribution to the national America 250 observance.

🖍️ And there’s something special for our younger historians, too! A coloring page has been created to help celebrate this momentous occasion. We’ll share it here so families can join in the celebration and help bring Washington County’s history to life with a little creativity!

👉 Follow the Cub Quest adventure into our history & heritage! 🐾✨

https://bearolina.com/cub-quest

The Washingtons Unite project encouraged us to look inward and recognize the strength of our own communities. Each quilt in our local display represents a place, a family, or a tradition that has shaped Washington County. This collaboration allows us to stand alongside communities across the nation while celebrating the people and traditions that make our own county unique.

📍 Public Exhibit
September 9 – 12 (11 AM - 3 PM)
Roanoke River Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

📍 Special Reception
Sunday, September 13 (3 – 5 PM)
Roanoke River Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

Join us as we celebrate the heritage, craftsmanship, family stories, and community spirit represented in these quilts — and the stories that continue to unite Washington County’s past, present, and future.

08/07/2026

A new story board has been added to the Roanoke River Lighthouse and Maritime Museum complex in Plymouth. Stop by and learn the amazing history of the Roanoke River Lighthouse and the Lighthouse keepers who kept the light shining. There is so much to learn about the River Lighthouses and their importance to Maritime activities on the Roanoke River and Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. The Roanoke River Lighthouse and Maritime Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday 11am until 3pm.

07/15/2026

We are with the Museum of the Albemarle today for Maritime History Day. I am telling the story of Plymouth's rich Maritime history! The event lasts until 3pm!

07/07/2026

Families of all ages are invited to our Maritime Heritage Day on Wednesday, July 15th from 10 am - 2 p.m.! We'll have presenters from Dismal Swamp State Park, CSS Neuse Civil War Museum, Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, Merchants Millpond State Park, N.E.S.T. (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles), Beekeepers of the Albemarle, Roanoke River Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, and the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island. It will be a fun-filled day where you can meet with experts and engage in hands-on activities.

We will also have a History for Lunch presentation at noon featuring Andrew Duppstadt, education and interpretation supervisor for the North Carolina Division of State Historic Sites. He will highlight some of North Carolina’s most famous (or infamous) seafaring personalities, pirates, privateers, and commerce raiders across 150 years of maritime history.

07/03/2026

Happy Birthday UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! The Roanoke River Lighthouse will keep her light shining for YOU!