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Portsmouth Village Homecoming Later This Month At Cape Lookout National Seashore

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Published Date

April 16, 2016
Aerial view of Portsmouth Village, Cape Lookout National Seashore/NPS

Aerial view of Portsmouth Village taken in the 1980s/NPS

Portsmouth Village, one of the oldest seafaring villages on the East Coast, will be the backdrop for the Portsmouth Homecoming at Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina.

Established in 1753, the village on the northern tip of North Core Banks within two decades had become one of the largest settlements on the Outer Banks, according to the National Park Service. It served the shipping industry, as many ocean-going ships were too heavy to pass through Ocracoke Inlet, and so "lightering" boats would meet the ships and transfer their cargo to shore and vice versa.

Washington Roberts House, Portsmouth Village/Kurt Repanshek

One of the oldest houses at Portsmouth Village, the Washington Roberts house, dates to about 1850/Kurt Repanshek

Cape Lookout National Seashore and the Friends of Portsmouth Island invite the public to this year's Portsmouth Homecoming, which will be held on Saturday, April 30, in the historic village.

Held every two years, this year’s event honors “The Families of Portsmouth” and celebrates the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service and the 50th anniversary of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Among the many activities during this day-long celebration will be a christening service in the Portsmouth Methodist Church and a return to the traditional hymn singing in the church. There will be ranger-led activities for kids to participate in.

The U.S. Post Office in Portsmouth will be open for that day only with a special postal cancellation for mailings from Portsmouth. A special “Descendant Tent” will showcase Portsmouth families who will provide their family photos, scrapbooks, family trees, etc. for all to see.

Following the traditional homecoming program will be a “dinner-on-the-grounds.” Everyone is encouraged to bring a covered dish to share at this traditional (potluck) event. Reservations for the passenger ferry from Ocracoke should be made with Rudy Austin (252-928-4361). Ferry reservations are required.

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