The Old Baldy Foundation receives a wide variety of inquiries each day—questions about the lighthouse, Bald Head Island, and the many details that help visitors plan meaningful experiences on our shores. Each call offers an opportunity to connect with someone who values this special place. Occasionally, a call arrives that not only shares curiosity, but also contributes directly to our mission of preserving and interpreting the island’s history. Such was the case last summer,

Reviewed by Jana Cruse, Museum Shop Associate As someone who enjoys World War II histories, I was especially interested in reading A Woman of No Importance  by Sonia Purnell . I already knew a little about Virginia Hall, but this biography offered a much fuller picture of her life and the impact she had. Hall’s work as an American spy in occupied France—while managing a prosthetic leg and constant danger—was remarkable, and the book does a strong job showing just how much she

As we look toward 2026, the Old Baldy Foundation is preparing for one of the most ambitious and meaningful years in our organization’s history. With Old Baldy nearing its third century, our focus is firmly set on thoughtful stewardship, expanded scholarship, and a renewed commitment to honoring the stories that shaped Bald Head Island. To achieve this, we’ll be working alongside an incredible group of partners—historians, designers, veterans, and preservation professionals—ea

Being the Educator for the Old Baldy Foundation gives me the opportunity to take part in a wide range of events both on and off the Island. As the temperatures began to drop and the foliage fell, I spent my time presenting to a few groups and enjoying the maritime history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service (USLSS) around the Delmarva region. On Wednesday, October 22, I headed down Highway 17 to speak to the Ocean Ridge History Club. This was my second time representing OBF there

Reviewed and selected by Corinne Gregson, Visitor and Museum Services Coordinator In All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake , author Tiya Miles traces the story of three women, two of whom were enslaved, through a cotton sack. This sack, titled Ashley’s Sack , was a machine-made cotton sack given by Rose, an enslaved woman in Charleston, South Carolina, to her daughter Ashley as she was sold and separated from her mother. Ashley’s granddau

The Original Bald Head Lighthouse ca. 1794 As caretakers of Bald Head Island’s rich maritime history, the Old Baldy Foundation honors the life and legacy of Henry Long each October 16—the anniversary of his untimely death in 1806. Long holds the distinction of being North Carolina’s first lighthouse keeper, stationed at the original 1794 lighthouse on Bald Head Island. Though records of his life are scant, what remains paints a picture of a dedicated public servant, a family

Reviewed and Selected by Adriana Ford, Communications Coordinator As the leaves begin to fall and the days get shorter, there’s no better...

Take a salty ride through oyster culture with our featured read!  This title is our Book of the Month for September   and will be 20% off...

Oysters have a long culinary history in America. Excavations of ancient shellfish middens on the East Coast provide evidence that coastal...

Each month, the Old Baldy Foundation staff selects a Book of the Month from our Museum Store’s diverse collection—ranging from history...

As fireworks light up our skies and flags wave across the nation this July, it's a powerful moment to reflect on what freedom truly...

The Perfect Couple is a murder mystery penned by NY Times Best Seller, the Queen of Summer Beach Reads, Elin Hilderbrand. This page...

When visitors flock to Bald Head Island this summer for North Carolina Treasures Weekend , they'll be stepping into more than just a...

This month, the Old Baldy Foundation is thrilled to shine the spotlight on an outstanding group of Volunteers in Preservation—our...

Available at the Old Baldy Museum Store and online – 20% off all month! If you've arrived on Bald Head Island without a book in your...

Liberty Ship at Sea - US Office of War Information  A depiction of a soldier from the Ethiopian Regiment.  Courtesy of the NPS The word...

Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World War II As we honor the remarkable women and African Americans...

This month, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on one of our dedicated volunteers, Janet Brewer! You may have seen Janet in our gift shop...

"Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy" by Nathaniel Philbrick Travels With George: In Search of Washington and His...

Here at the OBF we need few excuses to talk about Martha Coston, at all. Thus, to celebrate Women’s Equality Day (August 26th) we knew...