The Mullet Wrapper

The Mullet Wrapper
March 2016
Volume 14
Issue 3
Women of Southport, Women of History
Jessie Stevens Taylor
CALENDAR
OF EVENTS

March 15
As March is Women’s History Month,
it is apropos to take a fresh look at
Smithville (now Southport), and to
celebrate the strong women who helped
the community grow, who taught the
youth of our area, and who worked
tirelessly to help others. These women
lived along the Cape Fear River, and
were not only integral pillars of our
community, but arguably were the very
mainstay of Southport, weaving the fabric of the town we know today. A few of Southport’s
many treasures:

Kate Stuart (1844-1929) was more than a woman; she was one of the most colorful
characters of the past. After her mother’s death, Kate continued to run Stuart House, a
hostelry on the waterskirt, for those who came down the Cape Fear River to the courthouse in Smithville. Kate taught school, then became its principal, was the 1st President of the Southport Civic Club, was a member of the colonial Dames, was active in
the Trinity Methodist Church, and was instrumental in getting a rail line from Wilmington to Southport. She was mourned across the state as “the Grand Old Lady of North
Carolina.”

Mrs. Jessie S. Taylor (1879-1961) served the US Weather Bureau as the longestserving, and the oldest active weather observer in this country, and was responsible for
hoisting the weather flags on the signal tower to warn of all approaching storms. On
October 15, 1954, at the age of 76, she was on the Fort Johnston Garrison House lawn
carrying the flags that indicated a hurricane was approaching. Hazel, a Category 4
storm, devastated coastal Brunswick County. Mrs. Taylor received the 50-year
Government Service Medal and a Meritorious Service Award, both commendations for
her heroic duty, and was credited for saving many lives in what would turn out to be the
most catastrophic storm of the century.

Dolly Evans (1893-1971) was a good businesswoman, a good mother, a frugal woman,
a dedicated member of her church, one who loved politics and exercised significant
power during election time. The financially slim years of the 1930’s brought out the
strength of the townspeople. “Miss Dolly” not only sold groceries during the depression
days, but supplied firewood for the community. She would use her Model T truck to
get slabs of wood from the sawmill, then remove its back wheels, replace them with a
wide belt and circular saw, and would then cut the wood into fuel-sized pieces and
usable bark for local cook stoves.
Women of Southport

March 25
Museum Closed
Additional 10%
discount on
Women’s History
books during April
in the gift store!


April 2
Park Day, 9:30-1:00
April 19
Oakdale Cemetery
Page 2
Powell Speaks on African American Mariners in the Civil War
The museum recently welcomed Mike Powell for the February 3rd Tuesday Evening Adult
Program, as he spoke on African American Mariners in the Lower Cape Fear. Powell, president
of the Brunswick Civil War Round Table, discussed Freedom Seekers who provided
information to Union forces, and joined the North American Blockading Squadron during the
Photo # NH 80782
USS Newark
American Civil War. In a preamble to his presentation, Powell explained, “Nearly 30,000
African-Americans joined the US Navy as a maritime highway to freedom. Their numbers and contribution to the
war effort far exceeds the amount of attention they have received. Free blacks had served in the US Navy from its
inception, but in 1861 the war created a need for manpower to serve the fleet, and the Navy looked to take
advantage of the thousands of fugitive slaves that were seeking freedom from the plantations in the South. From
May to September 1861, in a period of 125 days these men and 11 women went from slave to enlisted sailor.”
Dr. Bob Surridge will present “Women of Southport” as part of the NCMM 3rd Tuesday Evening Adult
Program Series, on March 15. As a focal point, Dr. Surridge will delve into his book,
Hominy Muffins and Oyster Pie, which explores the life stories of fifty-four Southport
women in the early 1900’s, who came together to raise funds essential for continued
operation of St. Philips Episcopal Church. Dr. Surridge is a retired Penn State University
academic administrator, who relocated to Southport with his wife Carole. An active
community volunteer and member of the executive board of the Southport Historical
Society, he also serves as director of the society’s Susie Carson Research Room.
Dr. Surridge also works as a tour guide, local historic interpreter, and author of two
additional books. Please call the Museum at (910) 457-0003 to register for “Women of
Southport.” Our 3rd Tuesday Programs are held at 7 p.m. at the Southport Community
Building 223 E. Bay Street. Admission is free, pre-registration is encouraged.
GIFT STORE SALE!
In recognition of Women’s History Month, all Women’s History books will be discounted
10% for all visitors during the month of March. Members will also receive their
customary 10%, for a total of 20%! T-shirts are still only $10 as we make room for new
inventory arriving soon. Be sure to check our Facebook page for any future specials.
NC Maritime Museum Retreat Update from Mary Strickland:
“Thanks to everyone involved in Maritime Retreat 2016!
Twenty-four staff members traveled the NC Coast for a two day
event in Southport of meetings and good food. We shared our
daily successes and failures while pursuing our joint Mission,
achieved better understanding of individual job descriptions and
requirements, and found a better connection through up-close
and personal communication! New staff met old staff...a great
retreat, a great future for NC's Maritime Museum System.”
*Staff from our three NC Maritme Museums - Southport, Beaufort and
Hatteras - met in Southport for a retreat on February 5-6.
Fascinated by the life and
times of Southport’s late Jessie
Taylor? Want to become the
area’s next storm spotter? An
opportunity for free training is
being offered through WECTTV by the National Weather
Service to become an officially
trained storm spotter for the
NWS, and a member of the
Coastal Carolinas Chapter of
the American Meteorological
Society, and National Weather
Association. For more information, please email Patrick
Ellis at pellis@wect.com.
Page 3
We are on Social Media! Check us out!
OVER 1,800 likes!
Are you one of them?
Please be sure to like us on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/NCMaritimeMuseumSouthport
Want up-to-the-minute info on what’s happening in
the Maritime Museum System? Get updates by following us on Twitter!
https://twitter.com/NCMaritimes
September
Play golf while supporting the Museum!
Silent and live auctions, raffles and door prizes.
Advertise your local business with a sponsorship!
100% of the proceeds go towards the Museum.
For more information or to sign up to help with the golf committee,
please call Jim Carey at (910) 253-6331 or the Museum at (910) 457-0003.
Summer Camps!
(Times and fees will vary, please check
with the Museum for further information
Little Mariners (Ages 4-6, with adult)
June
15
Cape Fear Indians. (NEW)
22
Pirates!
29
Red, White, and Blue! (NEW)
July
6
20
27
Let’s Grow a Victory Garden!
Low Tide River Exploration.
Squishy Fish.
August
3
Trash Monsters.
Ages 6 and Up
June
14
Shrimp and Shrimping. Ages 8-12
16,17 Wild World of Weather. Ages 8-12
23
Become a Buccaneer! Ages 7-10
24
Hold your Mutinous Banner High! Ages 7-10
30
Candle Dipping and Colonial games. Ages 6-10
July
1
Stenciling. Ages 6-10
2
Fly Your Stars and Stripes. Ages 6-10
7
WWII – Patriots on the Homefront. Ages 8-11
8
WWII – On the Seas. Ages 8-11
19
Bald Head Island. Ages 8-11
21
Fish Prints. Ages 7-11
22
Nautical Girls – Mermaids, etc. Ages 7-11
28
Sea Turtles. Ages 6-12
29
Maritime Mythology. Ages 8-12
August
4
Can You Dig It? Ages 8-11
5
Endless Summer Sailboat Excursion. Ages 9-12
THE MULLET WRAPPER
3rd Tuesday Evening Adult Programs 2016
 March 15: Women of Southport, Dr. Bob Surridge
 April 19: Oakdale Cemetery, Eric Kozen
 May 17: Archaeological Finds at the Brunswick Town Wharf,
Jim McKee
 June 21: Colonial Cape Fear, Dr. Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr.
 July 19: Cape Fear Medal of Honor Recipients, John Moseley
All 3rd Tuesday programs are free
and are held at the
Southport Community Building,
223 East Bay St. from 7- 9 pm unless
otherwise noted.
Please call the Museum at
(910) 457-0003 if you plan to attend.
 August 16: The History of Surfing in North Carolina, Ben Wunderly and John Hairr
NC Maritime Museum
at Southport
P.O. Box 10412
204 E. Moore St.
Southport, NC 28461
Phone: (910) 457-0003
Fax: (910) 457-0086
The Friends of the NC Maritime Museum at Southport
Thank you to the new members who have recently joined our Friends group. We welcome
and appreciate your membership. Please remember that you can join or renew your
membership by mail, through the website, or at the Museum. Please consider bringing a
friend to our next program and encourage them to join. If you have any membership questions, you can contact Linda Bowen at jlbowen@atmc.net, or call her at (910) 253-5266, or
call the Museum at (910) 457-0003 for more information.
Memberships are valid for one year from the date of issue and are tax-deductible to the extent
allowed by law for a 501(c)(3) organization.
www.ncmaritimemuseums.com Your information will only be used by The Friends of the NC Maritime Museum at Southport.
Museum Hours
Tuesday - Saturday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Free Admission
The Mullet Wrapper newsletter is a publication of the NC Maritime Museum at Southport. The
publication is fully funded by The Friends of the Museum at Southport whose members
receive monthly mailings and discounts on some programs and Museum store purchases.
The Friends of the NC Maritime Museum at Southport, P. O. Box 10412, Southport, NC
28461 Website: www.friendsncmmsouthport.org
The Museum at Southport is one of three North Carolina Maritime Museums. The other museums are
the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras and the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort.
FOM
North Carolina Maritime
Museum at Southport
P.O. Box 10412
Southport, NC 28461
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