Since 1974, an ongoing program of documenting and inspecting historic shipwrecks along Dare County beaches has been undertaken by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, in cooperation with the National Park Service and Town of Nag's Head. Some fifty-five wrecks have been identified. The Civil War vessel Curlew was studied (with East Carolina University and Operation Raleigh) in 1988 and 1994, plus a survey of Manteo Harbor prior to improvements for the Elizabeth II. Eighty other archaeological sites are recorded in the Historic Preservation Office's inventory for Dare County.
A survey of Manteo was conducted in 1994-95 under the supervision of the Historic Preservation Office. In 1999, a survey of Hatteras Vilage was completed.
Federal grants totaling $39,965, state appropriations totaling $56,000, and technical assistance by the Historic Preservation Office have assisted the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station in Rodanthe, St. Andrews-by-the-Sea in Nags Head, and the Manteo architectural survey.
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Sixteen National Register listings in Dare County include the Bodie Island Lifesaving Station, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Hatteras Weather Bureau Station, Nags Head Beach Cottage Row Historic District, Wright Brothers National Memorial, and USS Huron shipwreck. The USS Monitor National Historic Landmark and National Marine Sanctuary is located in federal waters off Cape Hatteras. In 1992, Historic Preservation Office staff prepared the nomination of the Salvo Post Office to the National Register.
PRESERVATION PLANNING
In 1992, Historic Preservation Office staff worked closely with local citizens, the Chicamacomico Historical Society, and Dare County Board of Commissioners on measured drawings and preparation of a National Register of Historic Places nomination for the fire-damaged Salvo Post Office building. In 1996, the Historic Preservation Office began providing technical assistance in planning for the First Flight Centennial Celebration.
Three income-producing tax credit projects have been completed in Dare County with total construction investment of $1,481,500, including the outstanding First Colony Inn in Nags Head. Two residential renovations have been completed to utilize the new state tax credit for non-income-producing structures, and one additional residence is being renovated under the program. The Historic Preservation Office reviews and provides restoration technical services for all tax credit projects.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
The National Register nomination for the Nags Head Beach Cottage Row Historic District was published as the popular booklet, The Unpainted Aristocracy, in 1978.
The Historic Preservation Office has provided technical restoration assistance to Bodie Island Lighthouse Keepers Quarters, Little Kinnakeet Lifesaving Station and Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Chicamacomico Life Saving Station, the Salvo Post Office, and the Wright Brothers National Memorial.