Keepers of Tradition

The Howard family of Ocracoke is linked by a tradition of love for their island home. Ever since William Howard, who historians believe may have been Blackbeard’s quartermaster, bought the island in 1759, it’s been a Howard family tradition to reside here. At least 10 generations of Howards have lived and worked on the island, and currently one branch of the Howard family has three generations doing so: Philip Howard, his daughter, Amy Howard with her husband, David Tweedie, and Amy and David’s son, Lachlan Tweedie Howard.

All native island families maintain strong connections to their history and traditions, and this Howard branch is no exception. They live and work along the sandy road that bears their name, Howard Street, in the houses that their forebears built, and they are currently restoring another historic family home. From their front porches they can see a graveyard full of relatives’ headstones dating back to the early 1800s. Not far away are more family cemeteries, the Methodist Church that Philip’s grandfather helped build and other relatives’ homes.

The Howards are dedicated to keeping their family stories alive. Philip is a gifted storyteller; whether he’s speaking or writing, his memories and stories just naturally flow in the most entertaining ways.

“My children and grandchildren love to hear the stories about their ancestors,” Philip says. “They are proud to be part of a family that works to make their community a better place to live and proud of their heritage.” 

Philip is the author of two books, Digging Up Uncle Evans and Howard Street Hauntings, both of which contain a wide selection of stories, history and ghost tales. He has been called the island historian, and his online “Ocracoke Journal” and “Ocracoke Newsletter” keep his readers informed about everything Ocracoke. 

Over a decade ago, Philip started sharing the island’s stories with visitors and newcomers on Ocracoke Ghost and History Walks, leading tours around the island while spinning well-loved yarns. Now Amy and David have taken over the perennially popular tours. They are also involved with the Ocracoke Preservation Society, Ocracoke Alive and other initiatives that preserve the traditions and maintain the beauty of the island.

But the modern-day Howards of Ocracoke are perhaps most well-known for another of their family traditions: Village Craftsmen, a craft gallery that the Howard family started on the island 53 years ago. Over that time, the gallery has evolved from a small, rustic shop to a renowned multi-room craft gallery featuring high-quality American handcrafts, including pottery, jewelry, metalwork, woodcrafts, glass and other functional works of art. While Philip has stepped back from day-to-day involvement in the gallery, his daughter, Amy, has continued to provide the level of attention to the business that has kept it thriving for five decades.

Village Craftsmen is not just important to the Howard family. Their gallery is a favorite Ocracoke shopping destination and has become a well-loved annual stop for repeat visitors to Ocracoke. People who strolled along Howard Street to visit the gallery as children are now bringing their children and grandchildren to shop for items that remind them of their own cherished memories of the island: sterling silver jewelry, books of island history, pottery in ocean-inspired hues, paintings of local landmarks and so much more.

The gallery is also exceptionally valuable to the 125 artists represented here, most of whose work is inspired by personal connections to the island or elements of its natural history. Many of the artists have been represented in this gallery for so long – up to 25 years or more – that they’ve garnered a loyal following of customers who return year after year to add another piece of work to their personal collection.

“Our artists are all incredibly talented and down to earth and are able to come up with clever, functional, and beautiful designs,” Amy says.

For some of these artists, creating works of art is as generational as the Howard family’s gallery.

One such artist is Desmond Suarez, designer and owner of Sabbath-Day Woods. He’s a second-generation woodworker who grew up creating alongside his furniture-maker father. Desmond now runs his business with his sons, and they make beautiful clocks and lamps proudly sold in Village Craftsmen.

Then there is Richard Fisher, the creator of U.S. Bells. Fifty years ago Fisher started making bells in his garage. Now his small, family-run business has multiple craft studios and a real foundry. These sandcast wind bells, widely recognized for their quality of tone and integrity of design, are a favorite item at Village Craftsmen.

Another of Village Craftsmen’s artist families is the Michaud family of Four Seasons Designs, which includes a world-renowned collection of botanical jewelry. This unique line is made by creating molds from real botanical elements, which are then effortlessly linked together into beautiful and wearable works of art. Michaud’s sons have followed their father’s footsteps with Michael Vincent Michaud Jewelry, a line of vibrant cast-glass pieces with a tumbled finish that resembles natural sea glass.

All of this – the Howard family lineage, the families of repeat visitors, the family-operated gallery and the generational artists – adds up to an experience that has the comforting feeling of home with a splash of discovery thrown in.

Village Craftsmen is a place to linger, to slow down and enjoy your surroundings. You could spend hours wandering through the rooms of this cozy gallery, taking in the scents of locally made soaps, listening to the tones of the bells, admiring the fine woodworking and metalsmithing and trying out every mug to find the one that fits your hand just right.

Chances are good that if you come once, visiting Village Craftsmen will become one of your own cherished family traditions.

(252) 928-5541
info@villagecraftsmen.com
170 Howard Street, Ocracoke

villagecraftsmen.com