September SnapShot Meeting "NC Corporate Oysters Gardens In Late 19th Century"

"NC Corporate Oyster Gardens in Late 19th Century"

September 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM is our bi-monthly SnapShot Meeting featuring David Bennett, Curator of Maritime History for the NC Maritime Museum System.

David will be discussing the Corporate Oyster Gardens in Late 19th Century in North Carolina

In the late 19th century, North Carolina promoted the cultivation of oysters to provide a sustainable oyster industry. Large corporate interests quickly became involved and purchased thousands of acres of "submerged lands" in the State's sounds and rivers. These giant oyster gardens triggered rampant speculation in oyster cultivation. Simultaneously, local oystermen believed that they were being robbed of their traditional oyster grounds. The combination was a recipe for disaster.

Speaker Bio: As the NC Maritime History Curator, David oversees the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center. He is originally from Morehead City, North Carolina. David has a B.A. in History from UNC-Chapel Hill and an M.A. in Maritime History from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. His research interests focus on North Carolina's commercial fishing industry as well as traditional workboats.

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