NMB Museum set to reopen; Plus 7 activities along the North Strand
Hurricane Matthew ripped part of the roof off the North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum in October 2016, and water seepage destroyed its floor. Those repairs are finished, and the museum is set to reopen by Oct. 1.
“All the exhibits had to be dismantled but were saved,” says Cathy Altman, who accepted the duties of executive director in July. “No artifacts were destroyed.”
The museum has preserved its mission of presenting the area’s history complete with personal accounts, journals, diaries and photographs. Altman, though, plans to give visitors an in-depth experience of the featured subjects so they understand the family history or personal history as completely as possible. She is encouraging local families to bring diaries and photographs to the museum.
Included in North Myrtle Beach’s past is N.F. “Sonny” Nixon, who built Sonny’s Pavilion, a past iconic venue for shagging. Another noteworthy figure was Harold Bessent, who was co-owner of Fat Harold’s.
Beach Club and left many items to the museum. H. Lee Brown, Jr., owner of the O.D. Pavilion, was another legendary figure.
“We’re going to tell their stories,” Altman says. “We’re going to expand the ‘Shag’ area and date that from the 40s.” These celebrities will have their places along with the museum’s working jukebox.
Another topic that will get more exposure is the ocean and its sea life. “A lot of our history is out of the ocean,” Altman says. The NMB Sea Turtle Patrol will be featured, and the museum will display its skeleton of a loggerhead turtle. Framed pictures of the eclipse as it happened, NMB businesses through time, Yaupon Garden Club’s designated area and a wind turbine the city donated are new additions.
“You know we’re going to keep the Vanna White exhibit,” Altman says. “She’s so dear to the NMB area.”
Altman is a Calabash, N.C. native and has worked in various capacities at area chambers of commerce, including executive director and president of the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce. “I developed a passion for nonprofits and what they do for tourists and the local businesses,” she says. Besides, “I’m interested in history and live in a hundred year old house.”
She explains that in the 1940s Rosa Witherspoon Altman, the grandmother of her husband, Dayton, bought a house built in 1918, the same house Cathy and Dayton live in now. The grandmother also owned Jolly Roger Apartments and was one of the first people in Cherry Grove to rent them to vacationers.
Altman wants the museum to have interactive displays and programs such as presentations by fishing charter captains and tobacco farmers who will share their stories. She’s considering basket weaving and quilting classes along with displays of those items. “The possibilities are endless,” she says. “NMB has kept its charm and community spirit,” she adds. “I just want people to come and visit, especially if it’s a rainy day.”
What | North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum reopens
Where | 799 2 nd Ave. N, NMB
When | 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Thurs., Fri., Sat.
Cost | adults, $5; 62+, students with I.D., active and retired military, $4; 5-12, $3; 4 and under, free
Contact | 427-7688, director@nmbmuseum.com, www.nmbmuseum.com
Events on the North Strand
GARDENING QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What | Master Gardeners help solve gardening problems
Where | Hickmans Crossroads Library, 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.
When | 9 a.m.- noon every Tuesday through October
Cost | Free
Contact | 910-575- 0173, Christi.Iffergan@brunswickcountync.gov
Details | Free soil samples given
COFFEE WITH THE AUTHORS
What | Featured speaker Arleen Mercorella wrote A Matter of Survival, the story of her mother’s Alzheimer’s disease and life’s challenges.
Where | Sunset River Marketplace, 10283 Beach Drive, Calabash, N.C.
When | 10 a.m. Sept. 14
Cost | Free. Reservations required for seating
Contact | 910-575- 5999, www.sunsetrivermarketplace.com
Details | Can register online
COASTAL SHAG CLUB
Where | Moose Lodge, 253 Holden Beach Road, Shallotte, N.C.
When | Doors open, 6:30 p.m.; dance, 7-10:30 p.m. Sept. 16
Cost | members and any ACSC members, $5; guests, $8
Contact | www.coastalshagclub.org
RECEPTION TO HONOR MARYLIN SEARBY
What | Marylin Searby dedicated years to the Hickmans Crossroads library and was instrumental in organizing the Friends of the Library
Where | 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.
When | 3 p.m. Sept. 27
Cost | Free
Contact | 910-575- 0173; Christi.Iffergan@brunswickcountync.gov
Details | Refreshments served
FEATURED SPEAKERS
What | Mickey Crowley and Ralph Wimbish, writers of Throw the Ball High, are featured speakers at Hickmans Crossroads Library
Where | 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.
When | 3 p.m. Sept. 28
Cost | Free
Contact | 910-575- 0173; Christi.Iffergan@brunswickcountync.gov
Details | Mickey was a basketball referee with a reputation for humor, fairness and getting the call right. Books will be available for purchase.
13 th ANNUAL BRUNSWICK COUNTY INTERCULTURAL FESTIVAL
What | Celebrating Brunswick County’s diversity and cultural history
Where | Grounds of Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College, 50 College Road (off U.S. 17), Bolivia, N.C.
When | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sept. 30, rain or shine; 7 p.m. Sept. 29, free
African American dance ensemble in the Auditorium
Cost | Free admission
Contact | 910-842- 6566, interculturalfestival@hotmail.com, www.bcifestival.org
Details | features music, art, crafts and entertainment from various cultures; International Food Tent has ethnic foods to sample at a minimal fee
11th ANNUAL SUNSET AT SUNSET
What | Festival includes crafts, children’s activities, specialty demonstrations, food, over 100 vendors
Where | grounds near Ingram Planetarium, 7625 High Market St. (off Sunset Blvd.), Sunset Beach, N.C.
When | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Oct. 7
Cost | Free admission
Contact | Town Hall, 910-579- 6297, www.sunsetatsunset.com, www.facebook.com/events/575646975974620
Details | Photography contest, 5k walk/run over the Mannon C. Gore bridge
This story was originally published September 10, 2017 at 7:13 PM with the headline "NMB Museum set to reopen; Plus 7 activities along the North Strand."