One of the most unusual organizations in our county is the CSS Neuse Foundation, overseers of the full-scale replica of the CSS Neuse II. For the past few years, the Neuse II has drawn anywhere from 4,500 to 5,500 visitors – even though the replica gunboat is only open to the public from 10 am until 4 pm on Saturdays. In addition, board members and docents provide roughly 45 to 50 private showings of the replica in any given year.

Maintaining such a massive vessel in dry dock is a daunting undertaking. The 16 CSS Neuse Foundation board members need help doing all the work. The board recruits many people to help with fundraisers such as “Wings Over the Neuse” and the two “Breakfast on the Boat” events each year.

“Wings Over the Neuse” is the biggest fundraiser for the Neuse Foundation. The Galley Crew prepares roughly 6,000 wings each year to make around 1,200 plates, including wings, celery and carrot sticks, and ranch dressing. This effort requires many people to cook, even more to make the plates, and a dedicated group of drivers to deliver the wings.

           Each “Breakfast on the Boat” requires the Galley Crew, servers, and others who make sure all needed supplies are available. In addition, one of the highlights for many attendees is the Gunboat Boys, a group of musicians who perform period Civil War music and bluegrass. This group gives anywhere from two to three hours of their talent to the effort.

(By the way, “Breakfast on the Boat” is set for April 15, so put that on your calendar.)

On Monday, March 20, the Neuse Foundation hosted an appreciation banquet to honor and celebrate those who give so much time, expertise, and energy to support the Neuse II. Nearly 60 people attended the function held at King’s Restaurant.

I will not list all the names of those honored. However, I do want to mention some special recognitions bestowed that evening. The foundation honored some who have worked hard to preserve and share our county’s history. Bill Rowland, Jane Phillips, and Dennis Harper have worked tirelessly to document and preserve the history of the CSS Neuse, the First Battle of Kinston, and the Battle of Wyse Fork. Jane Phillips has served as a leader of the Historic Preservation Group for many years – perhaps since its beginning.

Bill Rowland has shared maps and GPS coordinates of various artifacts from the CSS Ram Neuse. The original gunboat was launched in April 1864 and was scuttled less than a year later, in March 1865, after providing artillery support for Confederate forces at the Battle of Wyse Fork.

Dennis has walked every square foot of the Wyse Fork Battlefield. He can tell people where every regiment, Union and Confederate, fought on that field. He has collected multiplied thousands of artifacts, from buttons and belt buckles to Minie balls and artillery shells.

The foundation also honored three local experts who work for the CSS Neuse Museum: Site Manager Matt Young, Operations Manager Morris Bass, and Historic Interpreter and Program Coordinator Rachel Kennedy. The CSS Neuse Museum and the Neuse Foundation work together to promote each other’s efforts at historical education.

All told, the foundation recognized 40 volunteers and donors who help the foundation accomplish its mission to “Preserve the Past, Celebrate the Present, and Prepare for the Future.”

If you have never walked the deck of the CSS Neuse II, one Saturday visit the only full-scale replica of a Confederate gunboat in the world. To the best of my knowledge, the Neuse II is the only replica that allows visitors to go below decks to see the vessel’s living quarters and power plant.

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.