Hendrick’s Hill Museum in Southport opened to the public Saturday, July 3 for the first time in over a year. The museum will be open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Sept. 4. Last year, due to the pandemic, the museum closed to the public for the first time in its 32-year history. 

“It’s wonderful to be back. It's such a gem of a little museum. It's not a huge one that people have knowledge about, but they find it when they come here and they enjoy so much going through here,” said longtime volunteer Nan Jackson. “We don't want to hide our shining light. We want to expand and bring it back so that people who are away can find out what the essence of Southport is all about.”

Since its creation in 1988, the museum has been educating people on, and preserving, the region’s history. The facility features a historical kitchen, parlor, map room, marine room, pantry and three bedrooms. There are also additions to the now 211-year-old Cameron House with exhibits and archival materials, as well as a boat shop. 

The museum has also become a community hub for volunteers. Volunteers reported missing the socialization the most during the museum’s closure. Jackson, who had been the volunteer coordinator for a decade, was particularly hit hard as she had fostered personal relationships and “lifelong friendships” with all the volunteers. 

“The vibrancy of the museum was kind of lost. It was very still and too quiet,” said Jackson.

However, the museum did not stagnate. Along with maintenance and technological upgrades, the museum also welcomed a new director, Bruce Joule, in August 2020. 

It was “challenging” for Joule to get used to being involved in the “demanding” day-to-day operations of the offseason but he is optimistic now, and thankful the quarantine gave him time to adapt to the job. “I was able to come on board with a museum closed and take baby steps learning. I came in August which during a normal year would have been in the middle of the season. It gave me a chance to get a feel for the museum and (its) workings ... without the public involved at that point.”

Joule has plans he hopes to implement in 2022 including changing monthly exhibits and opening evenings for people who work or otherwise cannot come during operating hours.

For now, the museum is open for both appointments and walk-ins but visitors who make an appointment get preference. There will be a limit of one tour group at a time. Unvaccinated adults and children are required to wear masks.

“We're trying to make the patrons, volunteers, and docents comfortable,” said Joule. “That is our main goal to keep everybody comfortable and safe.” 

The museum is at 419 Hendricks Hill Road. To make an appointment, call 633-1102.