Behind the Scenes Look
at QAR Conservation
Special training and skill are required to extract the
glass beads, trigger guards, and even the cannons from
the cement-like casings that contain them when they are
recovered from Blackbeard’s flagship. Queen Anne’s Revenge
(QAR), from under the sea. It is part of the time-consuming
work of conservators who treat thousands of artifacts from
the shipwreck. Exclusive behind-the-scene tours began in
early March to reveal the magic at the QAR lab.
The QAR Conservation Lab is offering opportunities for a
special behind-the-scenes look at conservation in progress
through different types of tours: First Tuesdays, Special
Group Tours, Open Houses and Educational Class visits.
Visitors will be able to share the excitement of being among
the first to see objects last looked upon by pirates almost 300
years ago, in addition to helping to support the work of the
QAR lab.
Each tour includes a visit to the warehouse containing one
of the largest collections of cannons to be excavated from
a single wreck, parts of the hull structure, and a 12-foot
anchor from the pirate ship. Mastery of the mysteries of the
sea through X-ray technology, a preview of artifacts ready
for museum exhibit and other processes will be explained.
Reservations are required for the First Tuesday tours,
10-11:30 a.m. or 2-3:30 p.m. A $10 per person donation
is requested to the Friends of QAR, which may be applied
to membership in the group that supports the work of the
QAR team. A maximum of 15 people is allowed per tour,
and the tour is best suited for visitors over age 12.
Special group tours also may be booked. These include
an introductory presentation, refreshments and a tour of
the lab. This tour requires a $20 per person donation to the
Friends of QAR, which also may be applied to membership.
Reservations must be made at least one month in advance.
A maximum of 30 people may participate per tour and must
be age 12 or older.
Two free Open House programs are scheduled on April
26 and November 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days.
No reservations are required for the Open House programs
and all ages are welcome. Members of the Friends of QAR
get a preview at 10 a.m. each Open House date. Free edu
cational tours are also available by scheduling a month in
advance for a maximum of 20 people per tour, ages 12 and
older.
The staff looks forward to greeting visitors and showing
the action from behind the scenes. The tours are free for
Friends of QAR members, and the free Operi House events
will open the lab to all visitors.
To book a tour, email courtney.page@ncdcr.gov or
call 744-6721. The QAR lab is located at East Carolina
University’s West Research Campus at 1157 VOA Site C
Road in Greenville.
The QAR Shipwreck Project and the conservation lab are
I part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.
Ancient Mariners Update
By Charlie McBriarty
The Ancient Mariners Bowling League concluded its 2013-
14 season in March. Since the publication deadline of The
Shoreline preceded the conclusion of the season, details of
who won what and how it was done are not available for this
issue, but some information was made available prior to the
deadline. Outgoing Vice President Nick Policastro announced
that the annual bowling banquet would be held on March 27
at 6 p.m. at the Clamdigger. He assured those attending that
the banquet would include “the usual format—an open bar,
heavy hors dbeuvres and a brief program.”
It was anticipated that new officers would be identified
at the banquet. Reliable sources identified Edna Tart as the
incoming president. Buddy Thomas as vice president, Bill
Knecht as treasurer and Sue Myers as secretary. Let’s hope
these sources knew what they were talking about.
The last scheduled regular season session was held on Mon
day, March 24, and if necessary a roll-oflf between the winner
_ of the first half of the season and the winner of the second
half was scheduled for the next day, Tuesday, March 25. At
press time with just two weeks remaining, Sweet Tarts, the
champions of the seasons initial half, owned a 1/2-point lead
over Alley Oops, while the number three team, Bob’s Balls,
was trailing by a single point.
For complete details on which team prevailed and which
bowlers left the banquet with more financial resources than
they had when they left home, as well as other information
about the league and its participants, stay tuned.
Voter Rights Forum
By Phyllis Makuck
The nonpartisan Voter Rights Coalition of Carteret County
is holding a Voter Rights Forum on Tuesday, April 29, frorri 6-9
p.m. in Joslyn Hall at Carteret Community College. The subject
of the forum is the new voting law recently enacted by the state
of North Carolina. The main purpose is to understand what the
new law is, when it takes effect, what it means to North Caro
lina voters and what is happening in the courts and in state and
national legislatures relevant to the new law.
After a presentation by Lindy Robinson, director of Carteret
County’s Board of Elections, and Bob Hall, executive director
of Democracy NC, forum participants will identify actions
appropriate to make sure all eligible voters who want to vote
can vote, and methods for tracking the effectiveness of those
initiatives. They will also consider ways of creating interest
and commitment to move forward.
Consider attending this forum if you are inteirested in
understanding the new North Carolina voting law and how
4t might affect you, or in working to maximize voter turnout
under the new law. Attendance is free of charge, and you can
register at the door—but preregistration is recommended. To
preregister, email VoterRightsCarteret@gmail.com.
The Voter Rights Coalition also welcomes partners and
sponsors. If you or an organization you represent would like
to inquire about becoming a partner or sponsor, contact
Miriam Green at msgreenl5@gmailcom.
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April 2014 I The Shoreline; 19