Look What’s Happening at the Historical Society!
Commemorative Brick Program — Order by November 30
Honor a loved one and support SHS with a brick at historic Fort Johnston.
Cost: 4×8 brick $100 (3 lines of text); 8×8 brick $150 (6 lines)
Order: October 1–November 30
Use our new Brick Finder tool to purchase bricks, search and browse bricks, and find their locations.
New! The SHS Brick Finder Is Here
Our brand-new Brick Finder tool is live. Search and browse the commemorative bricks at historic Fort Johnston, find exactly where your brick is located, and add photos and stories to your brick’s page — all in one place. Ordering a brick? You can do that right in the tool, too.
Cost: 4×8 brick $100 (3 lines of text); 8×8 brick $150 (6 lines).
Orders: Open October 1 through November 30 — honor a loved one, commemorate an event, or preserve something meaningful to you and support SHS today.
Second Tuesday Talk — History of the Southport Fire Department
Fire Chief Charles Drew tells the story of the Southport Fire Department, from its official beginning in 1893 to the present day.
When: Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 10:00 AM.
Where: Harper Library.
Reservations required: 910-457-6237.
Family Tree Help at the Harper Library
Need help researching your family roots? Volunteer genealogists Henry Livingston and Sandra Beane Milton offer guidance on using genealogy resources — drop in or reserve ahead.
When: Tuesdays October 13 & 27, 2026, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM.
Where: Harper Library Computer Room.
Reservations: 910-457-6237.
Living Voices of the Past
Shake hands with history! Meet a dozen historical Southport citizens — including five new portrayals — at the Old Smithville Burying Ground.
When: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 2:00–4:00 PM.
Cost: $5 suggested donation; all proceeds support the Old Jail Museum.
Holiday Tour of Homes — Volunteers Needed
Help make the 35th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes a success! We’re looking for Friday walking tour guides and docents inside the homes — training provided.
Interested? Contact 910-477-3461 or info@southporthistoricalsociety.org.
35th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes
New this year: a guided Friday walking tour with small groups, scheduled home entries, and a closing reception with live music.
When: Friday, December 11 (1–5 PM) and Saturday, December 12 (11 AM–5 PM), 2026.
Friday walking tour: $75 per person, only 200 tickets.
Tickets: Public online ticket sale begins November 19 at 10:00 AM. Members current as of September 30 receive a presale email.
New Exhibit: Picturing Southport’s Past
Honoring the Southport Fire Department during Fire Prevention Month.
When: On display through October 2026.
Where: Ft. Johnston Southport Museum and Visitors’ Center.
We’d like to thank the businesses and organizations that help us to achieve our mission of researching, preserving, and sharing the history of Southport and its environs. Please support them.
ADM Corp., Brunswick Arts Council, Brunswick County Black History Symposium, Brunswick County Civil War Roundtable, Brunswick County Historical Society, City of Southport, Downtown Southport, Inc., Federation of NC Historical Societies, Franklin Square Gallery, Friends of the Library-Southport and Oak Island, Historic Wilmington Foundation, Margaret and James Harper, Jr. Library, John N Smith Restoration and Preservation, Inc., NC Arts Council, NC Maritime Museum-Southport, Port City Java, Ports of Call Bistro, RE/MAX Southern Coast, Ricky Evans Gallery, Robert Ruark Inn, Southport 4th of July Festival, Southport Beautification Committee, Southport Dept. of Community Relations, Southport Magazine, Southport Oak Island Chamber of Commerce, Southport Public Works Dept. Southport Realty, Southport Spring Market, Southport Summer Market, The Adventure Kayak Company, The Brunswick Center at Southport, The Old Baldy Foundation, Inc., The State Port Pilot