Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum facts for kids
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is a special place that teaches you all about the ocean's history and the many shipwrecks that happened near the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This museum is located in Hatteras Village, which is the very last town on Hatteras Island. It first opened its doors in 2002.
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Discovering Shipwrecks
The museum gets its name from the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." This is a nickname for the coastal area around the Outer Banks. Hundreds of ships have sunk here over time. Some were lost in wars, some were attacked by pirates, and many more were destroyed by bad weather.
Amazing Artifacts
Inside the museum, you'll find many cool items that were found on these sunken ships. One amazing piece is a German Enigma machine. This was a secret coding device used by the Germans during World War II. It came from a German submarine called U-85, which sank in 1942.
Exploring Underwater History
One part of the museum shows how people find and explore shipwrecks. You can learn about the science of saving these old ships and the treasures found inside them. It's like being an underwater detective!
Heroes and History
The museum also has many other interesting displays.
Ship Models and Famous Figures
You can see detailed models of different ships. There are exhibits about General Billy Mitchell. In 1921, he showed how planes could sink ships off the coast of Cape Hatteras. You'll also learn about early explorers and colonists who came to this area.
Lifesaving and Pirates
Another section focuses on brave people who worked in lifesaving and rescue operations. They helped sailors in trouble. And, of course, there's a fun part about pirates! You can learn about famous pirates who sailed these waters, like Edward Low, Anne Bonny, and the legendary Blackbeard.
Military History at Sea
The museum also covers military history on the ocean. You can see displays about American Civil War ships called blockade runners. These ships tried to sneak past blockades during the war. There's also information about the sinking of the USS Monitor, a famous ironclad warship. Plus, you'll learn about World War II submarine attacks that happened right off the North Carolina coast.
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is part of the North Carolina Museum of History. It's free to visit, and it's open from Monday through Saturday.
