No trip to Ocracoke Island can be complete without a visit to the Preservation Society’s Museum and Gift Shop. The building that houses the Museum, along with the Society and its collections are a testimony to the island’s rich historical heritage.
The foursquare with a deep hip roof and deep-hipped porch is believed to have been built in the late 1800s by David Williams who served in the Coast Guard. It was moved to its present location near the current Coast Guard station and restored by Ocracoke Preservation Society in 1989.
The Museum Gift Shop is a popular place to find that special keepsake of your visit to the island, with an assortment of momentoes - including locally crafted Christmas ornaments - along with music, postcards, photographs, cookbooks and other books of local and regional interest.
Housed upstairs in the Museum is OPS’s unique research library - a growing number of historical, genealogical and photographic collections and other resources relevant to Ocracoke history. Here you can find just about anything you want to know about the island’s lighthouse, it’s British Cemetery, wild ponies, hurricanes and WWII Naval Base - and even how to square dance Ocracoke style. For locals and other descendants of the island’s original settlers there’s lots of resources for tracking down your ancestry.
Throughout the summer, the Museum hosts weekly porch talks on local history on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. and Backyard Kids Talks, usually on Wednesdays. It also hosts exhibits by local artists. Research materials can be viewed by prior appointment. And you can shop online for many Gift Store items.
Is this your business? Update your listing by messaging us
October 9, 2025
This year, the Duck Jazz Festival proudly reaches its 16th anniversary, and with it, we unveil our artistic vision:“Duck Grooves: The Sound of Jazz,” is an electrifying celebration of jazz’s dynamic, ever-evolving nature, set against the stunning backdrop of the Currituck Sound. It’s a fusion of past, present, and future, where the timeless traditions of jazz intersect with the vibrancy of new, innovative sounds. Just as the sound of jazz flows and adapts, so too does the landscape of Duck where the rhythm of the music harmonizes with the natural beauty of the water and the surrounding environment.
The prestigious Whalehead in Historic Corolla has been a dominant attraction to Corolla visitors since it was renovated and opened to the public in 2002. As part of the Historic Corolla Park, the Whalehead in Historic Corolla serves as a northern Outer Banks icon, and a living testament to Corolla and Duck's heyday as a secluded oceanfront retreat for the country's wealthy hunters and conservationists.
Experienced Hatteras Island vacationers always look forward to returning to Breakwater and the sea. Located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this kinetic oceanfront home achieves a fresh perspective without equal. Although outfitted for fine living, the décor is fun and welcoming with contemporary art, metal railings in turquoise, and bleached juniper. Full-length living room windows frame mesmerizing ocean views or can be enjoyed while dining on the furnished sun deck with steps down to the grill and beach walkway. The multilevel design features one main bedroom on the bottom level, two bedrooms, and a bathroom/shower on the first floor with a laundry room. The first floor boasts a full bathroom with a shower. Step up just a half flight to the sunny living area with an entertainment center and soaring ceilings. The third level overlooks the living room and features a dine-in kitchen to delight culinary aficionados. The main bedroom offers a TV, shower, and a small shaded deck with a built-in bench. Topside, a neat loft with a dormer window will attract the kids. After a day of fishing, you can utilize the fish cleaning table, followed by an outdoor shower to wash up after a fun-filled day at the beach. As the sun sets, gather on the deck for a quick pool game on the outdoor pool table! Things to KnowCheck-in time: 4:00 p.m.Check-out time: 10:00 a.m.Linens are included.All guests shall abide by Vacasa’s good neighbor policy and shall not engage in illegal activity. Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.No smoking is permitted inside the home.You will be required to sign an additional lease agreement upon making a booking, which will be sent to your email. You will not be able to check in until we have received your signature electronically. Please contact us directly if you do not receive this agreement.Fireplaces are available from October to April.Guests have access to the Club Hatteras Community Pool Facility. Additional details about this facility will be shared in your check-in email and during the check-in process. The club is typically open from mid-May to mid-October, depending on the weather.This property is managed by Vacasa North Carolina LLC.2 dogs welcome in this home. No other animals are allowed without specific Vacasa approval.Parking notes: There is free parking available for 4 vehicles. You must be 25 years or older to rent this property.
- Avon
- 4 Bedrooms
