Show the Outer Banks National Parks Some Love Through Outer Banks Forever

The Outer Banks would most definitely not be the beloved place it is without the presence of three national parks.

Can you imagine riding through Kill Devil Hills and not seeing the Wright Brothers National Memorial presiding over town? What if the history of European colonization was not interpreted on the North End of Roanoke Island? Would we even remember those stories? And can you even fathom what Hatteras and Ocracoke islands would be like if the National Park Service had not protected more than 70 percent of those islands from development by establishing Cape Hatteras National Seashore? They would just be two more islands with wall-to-wall development on the oceanfront.

The three Outer Banks national parks – Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial – are vital parts of our community, not only protecting the natural habitat and wildlife but also preserving history and culture and providing residents and visitors with open space for recreation and relaxation. The parks contribute greatly to the feeling of freedom that we love about the Outer Banks. They also create jobs, attract visitors who support local businesses, support the local and state economy and contribute so much to our quality of life. In terms of economic impact, in North Carolina, 10 national parks contribute $4.1 billion to the state economy (as of 2023). In terms of NPS visitor spending, North Carolina ranks second in the nation.

Photo: Wright Brothers National Memorial. All photos in this blog from Outer Banks Forever Facebook

Let's learn a little bit more about the three Outer Banks national parks, including their history and their strong economic impact on the local economy.

Wright Brothers National Memorial

The 428-site in the heart of Kill Devil Hills, which includes a museum and visitors center, outdoor historic markers, a re-created camp and 60-foot monument, protects the exact site where the Wright brothers conducted their first flight in 1903. The site interprets the historic first flight and the global impact that the Wright brothers had on the evolution of world civilization.

The federal government began planning a monument to the Wright brothers in the 1920s, and President Calvin Coolidge signed the bill to establish the park and build the memorial on March 2, 1927. The cornerstone was laid in 1928 during the 25th anniversary of the first flight. The monument was officially dedicated in 1932, and an executive order transferred ownership to the National Park Service in 1933. On December 1, 1953, it was redesignated as the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The 60-foot monument was built in 1932 using concrete and granite from Mt. Airy, North Carolina. The visitors center, built in 1960, is recognized for its architectural significance as an excellent example of the Park Service Modern and Philadelphia School architectural styles. Nearly 500,000 visitors tour Wright Brothers National Memorial each year.

According to the NPS, in 2023 423,000 park visitors spent an estimated $28.4 million in local gateway regions while visiting Wright Brothers National Memorial. These expenditures supported a total of 411 jobs, $12.1 million in labor income, $20.4 million in value added and $38.4 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Wright Brothers National Memorial. Learn more about the park here.

Photo: Beach along the Croatan Sound in Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

On the North End of Roanoke Island, Fort Raleigh Historic Site manages 355 acres within an authorized boundary of 513 acres. Its predominant function is to interpret the history of the first attempts at English colonization of the New World. The 16th-century colonization attempts on Roanoke Island played a part in the expansion of the New World, and this site interprets this history to provide a richer understanding of the people who backed the colony and those who lived and died at this site. The historic site includes a visitor center and a museum with artifacts. It includes copies of John White's watercolors from the late 1500s and a short film about the attempts to settle colonies. It's also the site of historic Waterside Theater, home of The Lost Colony, which has been running since 1937 and tells the story of the ill-fated 1587 colony in a semi-fictional story. The State of North Carolina deeded the land for Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on July 14, 1939, and the park was established in 1941.

The quiet wooded area on the North End includes a museum and visitors center and a small earthen fort built by the English colonists. The fort is the only structure from the early colonies whose exact location has been located. The museum includes artifacts recovered from the site, including a wrought iron sickle, an Indian pipe and metal counters. Fort Raleigh interprets interactions between the Native Americans and English. The site also interprets Civil War battles on Roanoke Island and the Roanoke Island Freedman’s Colony, home to 3,500 former slaves from after the Civil War until 1867.

According to the NPS, in 2023 264,000 park visitors spent an estimated $17.7 million in local gateway regions while visiting Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. These expenditures supported a total of 255 jobs, $7.4 million in labor income, $12.6 million in value added, and $23.7 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Learn more about the park here.

Photo: Bodie Island Lighthouse in Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Stretched along three islands, Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke, and linked by N.C. Highway 12, Cape Hatteras National Seashore was the first national seashore in the country. Cape Hatteras National Seashore encompasses 24,470 acres of prime coastal real estate. Within the seashore boundary is Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, which protects another 5,880 acres.

The idea for a national seashore on the Outer Banks was first pushed locally by Outer Banks artist and real estate developer Frank Stick in an article in the Elizabeth City Independent on July 21, 1933. After much bureaucratic finagling, Cape Hatteras National Seashore was authorized by Congress on August 17, 1937. The story of establishing the park is an epic saga of local and national support and opposition, stalls and restarts, persistence and ultimate success. The park was officially established on January 12, 1953 and dedicated on April 24, 1958. You can read about the whole saga here. 

The park protects more than 20,000 acres of coastal habitat for wildlife and is a recreational wonderland with oceanfront beaches and opportunities for hiking, surfing, fishing, nature viewing, waterfowl hunting, bird watching and camping. It’s home to three lighthouses, visitors centers, historic life-saving stations and more. The local visitors centers interpret the local history of lifesaving, lighthouse keeping, piracy, weather forecasting, shipwrecks and more.

In 2023, according to NPS statistics, 2.8 million park visitors spent an estimated $644 million in local gateway regions while visiting Cape Hatteras National Seashore. These expenditures supported 10,000 jobs, $350 million in labor income, $536 million in value added, and $864 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Cape Hatteras National Seashore. To learn more about the park, click here.

To learn more about the effects of visitor spending in national parks, click here. 

These Outer Banks national parks are an essential part of our community, protecting the nature, history, culture and sense of freedom we have all come to love about living on the Outer Banks. If you feel pride and passion for the Outer Banks national parks, you can help protect them and make them even better.

How You Can Help the Outer Banks National Parks: Outer Banks Forever

Outer Banks Forever is the official nonprofit fundraising partner of the three Outer Banks national parks. This group raises funds and awareness for park projects and programs through private donations and partnerships. In 2023 donors helped Outer Banks Forever contribute more than $400,000 in financial support to protect and enhance the Outer Banks national parks. Since its founding in 2019, more than 1,700 individuals, families, businesses and organizations have raised $1 million for the organization. This money helps the parks be better equipped to innovate, respond quickly to community and visitor needs, and achieve project goals.

In addition to a couple of staff members, Outer Banks Forever is run by a board of directors of Outer Banks residents who love the Outer Banks national parks and work to enhance them.

“The Outer Banks Group of parks including the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh Historic Site, and the Wright Brother’s Memorial site play a significant role for Outer Banks locals and visitors," says Outer Banks Forever Board Member Ivy Ingram. "From camping, surfing or fishing on the seashore to cultural heritage and history — our national parks provide natural beauty and opportunities for all to enjoy. Supporting the mission of Outer Banks Forever either through monetary donations or volunteering means you’ll be protecting these national treasures for future generations. I am proud to be part of the efforts to protect and enhance these beautiful places.”  

Outer Banks Forever Projects

- Built the mobility-friendly kayak launch at the marina at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center (completed)

- Expanded digital learning programs at Wright Brothers National Memorial (completed)

- Installed a Signal Tower at the Historic Hatteras Weather Bureau Station (completed)

- Established the Freedom Trail to teach people about the Roanoke Island Freedmen’s Colony at Fort Raleigh (completed)

- Built an Education Garden at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (completed)

- Building new, paved multiuse paths in all three parks. The first connects N.C. Highway 12 to the Old Lighthouse Beach and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton (the Buxton path has been fully funded!)

- Funding the installation of a new, accessible bathhouse with restrooms and showers at the Old Lighthouse Beach Access.in Buxton (fully funded!)

- Providing funding for student field trips so that students across North Carolina can learn about history and conservation

- Funding artist residencies (two four-week residencies per year) in the Outer Banks national parks

- Installing webcams at Wright Brothers National Memorial monument and at Waterside Theater in Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. A webcam has already been installed at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, but it’s temporarily offline due to renovations at the lighthouse.

Photo: Ocracoke ponies, part of the herd that the NPS manages on Ocracoke Island

Ways to Help Outer Banks Forever Help the Outer Banks National Parks

Parks Forever Fund: This fund pools funds from donors as well as local business partners to be able to adapt to immediate needs as they arise and create a sustainable way to address longer-term needs. This supports initiatives like education and preservation, restoration and conservation projects within the park.

Adopt A Pony: Help pay for the ongoing care and feeding of the Ocracoke ponies. When you adopt a pony with a gift of $50 or more, you will receive an adoption certificate and a picture of your pony or the herd to keep. 

Adopt a Sea Turtle Nest: Helps park service staff track sea turtle nests and protect sea turtle species.

Checkout Counter Donations: When you make a purchase in one of the park stores, you have the option to donate at the register. Your donation supports initiatives like increased accessibility, diverse storytelling and enhanced visitor experiences in our parks. 

Shop Our Online Store: When you shop through the Eastern National family of brands, a portion of proceeds supports the parks.

Sign Up to Volunteer: To be notified about volunteer opportunities with Outer Banks Forever and our Outer Banks national parks, click here. 

Adopt A Beach: Volunteers who participate in the Adopt A Beach program help maintain clean Seashore beaches through regular cleanups, further connect with our community, and have their name displayed on their adopted section in recognition of their commitment.  

Photo: A view of the Atlantic from Cape Hatteras National Seashore

More Ways to Give: For more ways to give, including business partnerships, donor-advised funds, honorary and memorial gifts, matching gifts, and many more, click here.  

To stay connected with Outer Banks Forever, go to their website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.