Cape Lookout National Seashore and the Friends of Portsmouth Island would like to invite the public to the Portsmouth Homecoming on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in historic Portsmouth 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.

For more information, visit the Friends of Portsmouth Island or the Cape Lookout National Seashore websites:  www.friendsofportsmouthisland.org

or their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/friendsofportsmouthisland

or the Cape Lookout National Seashore:  www.nps.gov/calo

Read more about Portsmouth Island on the Ocracoke Current here.