In addition to the archaeological surveys along the Pungo and Pamlico rivers, the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office has surveyed the Belhaven Waterfront and identified eighteen shipwrecks; surveyed Bath Harbor with two shipwrecks, two landings, and a warehouse foundation; and excavated many artifacts from the USS Pickett, a Union gunboat that blew up in Washington's harbor during the Civil War. Archaeological surveys along the Pungo and Pamlico rivers were carried out in 1993 and 1994. The Historic Preservation Office statewide inventory contains information on 301 prehistoric and historic archaeological sites in Beaufort County.
An architectural survey of Washington was completed in the late 1970s, and a survey update was completed in 1998. These projects have been cooperative local-state efforts accomplished with grants and staff assistance from the Historic Preservation Office.
Since 1978 Beaufort County has received $117,250 in federal subgrants and $265,500 in special state appropriations. These funds have been used for an architectural survey of Washington, archaeological surveys along the Pungo and Pamlico rivers, and renovation of the Washington Civic Center/Train Station, Washington City Hall, Belhaven Town Hall/Museum, the County Museum, Pantego Academy, and Ware Creek School. In 1997 a state grant was awarded for an architectural survey of Bath.
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
There are twelve Beaufort County listings in the National Register of Historic Places, including the Bath and Washington historic districts, Belhaven Town Hall, and the Palmer-Marsh House, which also is a National Historic Landmark.
LOCAL PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS
Washington has a historic preservation commission and is a Certified Local Government. The city developed a historic preservation plan in 1980 with assistance from a $13,500 planning grant from the Historic Preservation Office. Bath also has a local historic district commission.
Thirty-three income-producing tax credit projects have been completed in Beaufort County at a total construction investment of $2,995,400, including the Washington Tobacco Company in Washington; seven additional tax credit projects are currently undergoing renovation. Five residences are currently undergoing renovation to utilize the new state tax credit for non-income producing historic structures. The Historic Preservation Office reviews and provides restoration technical services for all preservation tax credit projects.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
Beginning in 1995, Historic Preservation Office staff has worked with local citizens to record the history and architecture of Ware Creek School as the basis of an educational program on local African American history.
The Historic Preservation Office has provided technical services to assist the renovation and restoration of numerous properties including St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Palmer-Marsh House, Belhaven Town Hall, Washington City Hall, Washington Civic Center/Train Station, Pantego Academy, and dozens of residences and commercial buildings in the Washington, Belhaven, and Bath historic districts.