School
Old Baldy provides a variety of educational programs for school groups. Students will experience Bald Head Island’s history through the perspective of a lighthouse keeper, learn about the role of Bald Head Island’s Fort Holmes in the Civil War, explore the island’s coastal habitats, and more. In the Smith Island Museum, students will learn all about pirates, surf men, and maritime history. Field trip visits are available from March to June and September through November. Programs align with curriculum requirements for North Carolina. Inquire about field trip funding for ferry transport and programs through Old Baldy Foundation’s Lighthouse Learners Scholarship Fund.
supports classroom learning in:
Social Studies, Science.
topics covered:
Civil War, geography, maritime history, war, military, historical figures, environmental studies, living environment, biology, plants, animal science, habitats.
contact info
Name: Office
Phone: 910-457-7481
INFO
ABOUT
Old Baldy
Bald Head Island is only accessible by boat—so hop aboard with your students and homeschool groups! The island is home to Bald Head Lighthouse, known colloquially as Old Baldy, which is the oldest lighthouse still standing in North Carolina. Once groups step off the ferry, they’ll see Old Baldy, and in only 5 minutes, they could be on their way up the 108 steps (plus a ship’s ladder) to the very top to see picturesque views of the island. After touring the lighthouse, groups can visit the adjacent Smith Island Museum, which is housed in Keeper’s Cottage, an authentic recreation of an 1850s house. The museum features period furnishings, exhibits that contain informative displays, and various artifacts. Groups can also enjoy a walk along the Civil War fort trail where they will come across Fort Holmes.
contact info
Hrs: Mon.-Sat. 9AM-5PM, Sun. 11AM-5PM.
HELPFUL LESSON PLAN(S)
Prepared by FieldTripDirectory.com
Lighthouse Lesson Plan
The first known lighthouse was the Pharos of Alexandria, Egypt. Ptolemy I and his son, Ptolemy II, constructed it between 300 and 280 BC. It stood about 450 feet high. This lighthouse was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was destroyed in stages by invaders and earthquakes, being destroyed in the 1300s.
There were never more than about 850 lighthouses in operation at once, although about 1,500 were constructed in this country over the years—the hey-day being about 1910.
View Lesson Plan>>Homeschool
Old Baldy provides a variety of educational programs for homeschool groups. Homeschoolers will experience Bald Head Island’s history through the perspective of a lighthouse keeper, explore the island’s coastal habitats, learn about the role of Bald Head Island’s Fort Holmes in the Civil War, and more. In the Smith Island Museum, homeschoolers will learn all about pirates, surf men, and maritime history. Field trip visits are available from March to June and September through November. Programs can be
topics covered:
Social studies, Civil War, geography, maritime history, war, military, historical figures, environmental studies, living environment, biology, plants, animal science, habitats.
contact info
Name: Office
Phone: 910-457-7481
INFO
ABOUT
Old Baldy
Bald Head Island is only accessible by boat—so hop aboard with your students and homeschool groups! The island is home to Bald Head Lighthouse, known colloquially as Old Baldy, which is the oldest lighthouse still standing in North Carolina. Once groups step off the ferry, they’ll see Old Baldy, and in only 5 minutes, they could be on their way up the 108 steps (plus a ship’s ladder) to the very top to see picturesque views of the island. After touring the lighthouse, groups can visit the adjacent Smith Island Museum, which is housed in Keeper’s Cottage, an authentic recreation of an 1850s house. The museum features period furnishings, exhibits that contain informative displays, and various artifacts. Groups can also enjoy a walk along the Civil War fort trail where they will come across Fort Holmes.
contact info
Hrs: Mon.-Sat. 9AM-5PM, Sun. 11AM-5PM.
HELPFUL LESSON PLAN(S)
Prepared by FieldTripDirectory.com
Lighthouse Lesson Plan
The first known lighthouse was the Pharos of Alexandria, Egypt. Ptolemy I and his son, Ptolemy II, constructed it between 300 and 280 BC. It stood about 450 feet high. This lighthouse was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was destroyed in stages by invaders and earthquakes, being destroyed in the 1300s.
There were never more than about 850 lighthouses in operation at once, although about 1,500 were constructed in this country over the years—the hey-day being about 1910.
View Lesson Plan>>