The Friends of the CSS Neuse Museum will be hosting a maritime history symposium titled “North Carolina Naval History in the Age of Sail and Steam” on June 23 and June 24 at the CSS Neuse Museum, located at 100 N. Queen St. The subjects covered will include Naval History from pre-American Revolution, during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 through naval advancements during the Civil War.

The symposium will begin Friday evening, June 23, with check-in between 5:15 pm through 6:00 pm that will also allow participants some time to explore the CSS Neuse Museum. Dinner will be from 6:00 pm through 6:45 pm. At 7 pm Hampton Newsome will speak on the subject of “The Battle of Plymouth and the Civil War in Eastern North Carolina, Spring 1864.”

Newsome holds degrees from Duke University, the University of Virginia School of Architecture, and the University of Virginia School of Law. He is a staff attorney for the Federal Trade Commission. He has written several books on Civil War topics, including “The Fight for the Old North State: The Civil War in North Carolina, January - May 1864.”

Saturday will be chocked full of a variety of speakers and information. Check-in will take place between 8:00 am and 8:45 am. At 8:45 am Museum Director Matt Young and Friends of the CSS Neuse Museum President Keith Hayes will welcome participants and give introductions.

At 9 am, Jim McKee will deliver an address on “The Spanish Attacks on Brunswick Town and Beaufort in the War of Jenkins Ear, 1741.” McKee is the Site Manager at Brunswicktown-Fort Anderson State Historic Site in Winnabow. He holds a BA from Greensboro College and an MA from Southern New Hampshire University. His previous experience includes work with the National Park Service and the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport.

At 10:00 am Stephen Atkinson will speak on “HMS Cruizer and British Naval Activity in the Lower Cape Fear Region, 1775-1776.” Atkinson is an Assistant State Archaeologist in the Underwater Archaeology Branch based at Fort Fisher and is part of the Office of State Archaeology’s scientific diving program.

Originally from Jensen Beach, FL, Atkinson has a BA in History from Stetson University and an MA in Historical Archaeology with a maritime focus from the University of West Florida. Prior to joining the Underwater Archaeology Branch, he served as an intern at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center working on the H.L. Hunley project. He has also worked as a conservator at the Queen Anne's Revenge Conservation Lab.

At 11:00 am Jim Greathouse will speak on “The War of 1812 on the Waters of North Carolina.” After a break for lunch at local restaurants from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm, Andrew Duppstadt will introduce the afternoon speakers at 1:45 pm.

At 2:00 pm Becky Sawyer will give an address titled “‘It is the Most Grand, Sublime Scene I Ever Could Think of Seeing:’ The Letters of Sidney Stockbridge Office, USS Pawtuxet. 1864-1865.” Dr. Chris Fonvielle will close the program when he takes the podium at 3:00 pm to talk about “The Exploits of US Naval Officer William B. Cushing.”

The pricing for the event is as follows: $50 for the full registration, which covers all Saturday programming and the meal and address on Friday evening. For those who wish only to attend the Friday evening event, then the price is $35. The price is $30 for those who only want to take part in the Saturday event. Some of these speakers will have copies of their book available for sale in the museum lobby on Saturday.

The registration link via Constant Contact is:  https://conta.cc/3V3DLdN  The registration deadline is June 10.

If you have any questions, please contact Keith Hayes at cssneusegba@gmail.com

Proceeds from the symposium will support the Friends of the CSS Neuse Museum in its mission to bring history to life at the CSS Neuse Museum.

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