The collections of the History Center include manuscripts, maps, photographs, books and other formats covering such topics as coastal military operations, personal and organizations papers, natural history and environmental sciences and much more. Visit the collections page for more information.
Our Services
The History Center provides reference and research services, document and photograph reproduction, and outreach and education activities including the History Center gallery. For more information, visit the services page.
Our Facility
The History Center maintains a comfortable, well-lit reading and reference room with several worktables, an online catalog and access to audio-visual equipment, a microfilm reader-printer, and photocopier. Stacks are closed to public browsing, however staff members retrieve materials for use in the reading room.
Our Founding
The Outer Banks History Center was founded in 1986 when local writer and historian, David Stick, donated his personal library and research materials to the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. Read more...
The Outer Banks History Center is open Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays. Researchers are encouraged to call ahead as the History Center occasionally closes due to exigencies of weather.
The History Center Gallery is open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. concurrent with the operating hours for Roanoke Island Festival Park. On weekends and holidays, enter the Gallery through Festival Park's Arrival Center.
Directions and Driving Maps
The Outer Banks History Center is located across from the Manteo waterfront within the Roanoke Island Festival Park complex and is accessible from Highway 64/264. For specific directions, click here.
