Ocracoke's Modern History
As Dr. Martin Luther King once said, “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” The Ocracoke Preservation Society was founded in 1983 as a non-profit organization run by community volunteers who are devoted to conserving the history and culture of Ocracoke Island. In 1992, OPS opened their free admittance museum in the David Williams house. The museum curators are continuously evolving the museum’s approach to history to better meet the advancements of the digital age.
Behind the scenes at OPS is digital mastermind Karen Rhodes. Karen, an artist by trade, returned to Ocracoke after being drawn back by family ties and a desire to uncover the important history of the island. She currently runs the upstairs research library at OPS, which is home to photo albums, genealogical records, shipwreck accounts, and anything from recipes to wedding reports that are significant to the history of Ocracoke. Karen is working to create a digital library and exhibit by scanning the pictures and albums that have been donated by local families. The goal of the digital archives is to promote community involvement and to make sure that history is preserved for all and accessible to many. What better way to do this than Facebook!
The use of social media in museums creates good publicity due to a wide spectrum of viewers. When asked how social media has impacted OPS, Karen’s response was extremely positive. She stated, “The amount of tourists that visit the museum because of Facebook posts has grown immensely.”
The island has been heavily shaped by the historical events of shipwrecks, WWII, and the families in the community; however, tourists may not publicly know this information. Karen hopes that by promoting the past on social media, it will get people even more excited about the special place they are visiting. Museums around the world are adapting to the digital age, and OPS is no exception! (We are so with the times!) With the growing number of online users, accessibility to museum websites and online exhibits is becoming very popular.
“Our social media posts are giving us 100% community support. Local businesses get to repost and share, resulting in their guests coming to see us. Our hope at OPS is to give a life and story to the island and to show people that there was a life and families and a story, not just a barren beach,” Karen said.
Through the growing population of her fact-filled OPS Facebook page, Karen is the lucky one who gets to go through the library’s collection (I admittedly wish that I had her job). “I love to discover everything, it is hard to pick a favorite,” Karen answered when asked what her favorite collection was in the library. She then went on to explain that family history takes up most of the library. With family history come the personal accounts and stories, which she finds very intriguing. “People on Facebook that see my posts have begun to recognize family members and reach out to OPS.” (very cool!) Through the help of Ocracoke natives, Karen is able to identify individuals in the photos and ask any unanswered questions. She hopes to bring in a group of locals to hear their accounts of island life in order to preserve their stories before it is too late.
Ocracoke is a very special place in the modern-day world. The island and the locals truly understand the importance of the rich history that it holds. Organizations such as the Ocracoke Foundation, the Working Waterman’s Exhibit, and Ocracoke Alive are all working to promote island history in ways it has not been done before.
Ocracoke Preservation Society’s goals are ever-changing.
“Our main goal is to preserve the history of life in the 40’s and 50’s on the island. The trick is changing while keeping the essence of Ocracoke. I believe that Ocracoke has done that better than any of the Banks. Being a quaint little island adds to the charm and people come and then understand the benefits of the historical parts of Ocracoke,” says Amy Howard, Administrator at OPS. “And if they want more history Portsmouth is right next door!”
Amy also added how great a job Karen was doing with all the sites and that visitors stop and compliment the site and the Facebook page on a regular basis! (Keep up the great work, Karen!)
Anyone who visits, lives, or just loves Ocracoke recognizes that history surrounds him or her wherever they go. The island’s history is what gives it its allure, and mystery. The digital library and exhibit that Karen is working to create is providing a public place for anyone to learn and explore the irreplaceable history of this extraordinary island we call home.
To explore Karen’s work please visit the OPS Facebook, Instagram, and their monthly online exhibit at ocracokepreservation.org
