We regret to inform you that Homecoming 2020 has been cancelled due to the new government mandates regarding events for 50+ people. If you have purchased raffle tickets, we will hold the raffle at a later date after we get all this sorted out. Stay tuned to this website and our Facebook page for any future details. This was a most difficult decision but we had no choice. Thank you!
PORTSMOUTH 2018 HOMECOMING REPORT
HOMECOMING 2018
April 21 was very special indeed. We counted 425 people who attended Homecoming, and those are only the ones we could match up with the register and our own memories of who we saw. But it’s not about the numbers, it’s about the sweet spirit of Portsmouth families coming together to remember home and family.
The day started early with the first boats leaving Ocracoke at 7:00 a.m. to take the volunteers over, then following with others beginning at 8:00. Thanks to Rudy, Pat, Donald and Wade Austin, and Marjorie and Dallas Spruill and Richard Meissner for coordination of the transportation. Our loaders at the dock stayed very busy! We appreciate Lee McKeithan and Marshall Hamrick for heading up the Portsmouth side.
Everyone toured the post office and the t-shirt table inside the Visitor Center before heading down to the church, school, and all the open houses. Thanks to Ann Shipstedt and Simona Spickett for manning the busy t-shirt table and to Evelyn and Donna Mink for helping with the notecards and postcards. Thanks to the Ocracoke Post Office, visitors were able to mail their cards and letters from Portsmouth again this day.
For the first time in many years we were allowed to tour the houses that had been shut up for years. The Park worked to replace porches and steps and windows to make the houses safe to enter. It was wonderful to see the families gathered around “their houses,” sharing memories and stories. The Tom Gilgo house, Wallace/Grace House, Cecil Gilgo house, Carl Dixon house, Styron-Bragg house, McWiliams/Dixon house, the Wash Roberts house, the Jesse Babb House, and the Harry & Lida Dixon house were all open for touring.
Gaye McKeithan and Ben Brinson were two descendants with wonderful displays to share who helped man the descendant area which was located in the Roy Robinson/Lionel Gilgo house. Jean Webber and Ann Foley were there to welcome new FPI members and hand out membership packets, and to sell raffle tickets for door prizes. Descendants Barbara Eugene and Debra Penny greeted visitors at the Visitor Center. On down the path Justine Paul and Johanna Huber and Janice and Bob Vogel helped register folks and hand out the coveted homecoming pins. It wasn’t long before our food tent volunteers, headed by Jeanne Robertson, were busy unloading coolers and setting the food out! We thank Jeanne, Glenn and Brenda White, Pat Winstead, Ann Adkins, Cheryl Thompson, and Fred and Karen Dixon for what is probably the hardest job during homecoming. The line was long but it moved quickly due to the great set up by these folks!
Connie Mason led the hymn singing in the church helped by Janice Smith and Justine Paul. It wasn’t complete until Kenneth Burke led the singing on “Throw Out the Lifeline!” There were not many dry eyes in the house. The singing was beautiful and just added to the glorious day.
Jim White, FPI board member and Portsmouth descendant, emceed the program under the tent. Colt Goodwin, Salter descendant, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Rosanne Penley, President, welcomed the group and called for the number of first time visitors and the number of FPI members. The families of Portsmouth were recognized by Jim White during the roll call of families, as each family member stood up when the names were called. Reverend Richard Bryant presented the Reflection. Jeff West, Superintendent of Cape Lookout National Seashore, spoke to the group and received a very warm welcome. Connie Mason’s traditional singing of Marian’s Song was very special to a lot of people.
Borden Wallace of New Orleans , a descendant of the Wallace family, was the happy winner of the antique quilt donated by Jeanne Robertson. Anne Eastman of Morehead City won the painting of the Lifesaving Station donated by Doris and George Stein. Colt Goodwin and Ann Taylor each won canvas photos of Henry Pigott by Bruce Roberts and donated by Ed and Rene Burgess. This painting was also the design of this year’s Portsmouth pin.
We can’t thank enough those who drove the gators and golf carts to haul food and people thoughout the village all day, and those who loaded and unloaded the seemingly endless coolers of food. These folks are Lee McKeithan, Bobby Hill, Phelps Forrest, and Gregory Gilgo.
Delores Gaskins handed out programs, Hazel Arthur handed out hymnals in the church, and Ann Ehringhaus took the famous group photo of all who gathered around the church.
Many of the people mentioned above also worked at Portsmouth the 3 days before Homecoming to ready the village and to begin work on the Jesse Babb house in preparation of a future painting date. Thanks to Gregory Gilgo, Suzanne McWilliams, Julius Coronel, and various others for the prep work they did on the house, and all those who helped set up tents, swept out and cleaned houses, cleaned the church, prepared lunch for three days, and got everything in order for the special day. Phil Cunningham and Glenn Dunn weedeated around each house and cemetery, helping Ed and Rene Burgess with the mowing.
Our very special thanks to the Homecoming Committee, chaired by FPI Vice President Kathy McNeilly, Ed & Rene Burgess, Jason Jeanette, Jeanne Robertson, Evelyn Mink and Lee and Gaye McKeithan. They have worked on this for over a year and their time and efforts are much appreciated. We thank BG Horvat of CALO for his involvement with the committee on behalf of the Park, as well as Jeff West and all the staff at CALO. We appreciate the help of the Ocracoke Preservation Society and the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum for their support and efforts in several areas.
It was a wonderful day! If you were there we are glad you were, and if not, we hope you will come to the next Homecoming in 2020. The date has not been set yet but we will announce it once it is finalized.
Homecoming this Saturday!
Reminder to all who are coming Saturday to gather at the Park floating dock down by the ferry at your scheduled time. Due to construction at the Community Square, no boats can run from there. Dress warmly for the trip! See you there!
FERRY RESERVATIONS TO PORTSMOUTH
The Austins are now accepting passenger reservations to Portsmouth for Homecoming day. Please call 252-928-4361. The cost is $20 per person round-trip. See you there!
Homecoming 2016 a Success!
Last weekend was very special indeed. We counted at least 430 people who attended Homecoming, and those are only the ones we could match up with the register and our own memories of who we saw. But it’s not about the numbers, it’s about the sweet spirit of Portsmouth families coming together to remember home and family. And they are gracious enough to share this with those who aren’t “family,” but who want to help preserve this precious place.
The day started early with the first boats leaving Ocracoke at 7:00 a.m. Thanks to Rudy, Pat, Donald and Wade Austin for coordination of the transportation and procuring the golf carts for use that day. Our loaders at the dock stayed very busy! Everyone toured the Descendant Tent, the post office and the t-shirt table before heading down to the church and the school. Thanks to Nancy White and Cindy Austin for manning the t-shirt table and to Deanie and Myron Jones for helping with the notecards and postcards. Gaye McKeithan and Jean Webber were two descendants with wonderful displays to share and helped man the tent. Marjorie Spruill and Richard Meissner were there to welcome new FPI members and hand out membership packets, and to sell raffle tickets for door prizes. Jeanne Robertson of Oriental was on hand to greet visitors at the Visitor Center. On down the path Leonard and Johanna Huber and Glenn and Brenda White helped register folks and hand out the now-famous homecoming pin. It wasn’t long before our folks were delivering coolers of food to the food tent, and Doris Stein, Sharon Forrest, Margaret Jennette , Jeanne Robertson, Johanna Huber, Jason Jennette, Evelyn Mink and Rachel Pierson stayed busy unloading coolers and setting the food out! We thank these folks for what is probably the hardest job during homecoming. The line was long but it moved quickly due to the great set up by these folks!
For those arriving in time, the christening service in the church was a very special event. Reverend Ivey Belch of the Ocracoke Assembly of God and Revered Richard Bryant each christened a child using holy water from the Jordan River furnished by Chester Lynn. Chester also decorated the church and provided the flowers for the special event.
Afterward Connie Mason led the hymn singing in the church and there were not many dry eyes in the house. The accapella singing was beautiful and just added to the glorious day.
Jim White, author and Portsmouth descendant, emceed the program under the tent. Rosanne Penley, President, welcomed the group and called for the number of first time visitors and the number of FPI members. The families of Portsmouth were recognized by Jim White during the roll call of families, as each family member stood up when the names were called. Reverend Ivey Belch presented the Reflection. Pat Kenney, Superintendent of Cape Lookout National Seashore, spoke to the group and received a plaque from FPI in honor of CALO’s 50th anniversary and the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. Connie Mason’s traditional singing of Marian’s Song was very special to a lot of people.
Charles Boardley, a descendant of the Pigott family, was the happy winner of the special quilt made especially for Homecoming by the Ocracoke Needle and Thread Club! James Barrie Gaskill was the winner of the beautiful canvas painting donated by Connie Mason.
It was fun to see the kids at Homecoming and watch some of them playing croquet, provided by the CALO staff. We were pleased to see former CALO Superintendet Bob Vogel (now Superintendent over the National Mall in
Washington DC) and his wife Janice, and Rebecca Harriet (current Superintendent of Harpers Ferry National Park) and family in attendance, as well as many Park employees, current and past, who were there to help out.
Suzanne McWilliams and Robert McWilliams were available at the lifesaving station to welcome visitors, Wouter Ketel was at the Washington Roberts House, and Elaine Clark greeted visitors at Henry Pigott’s house. We appreciate them doing this.
We can’t thank enough those who drove the gators and golf carts to haul food and people thoughout the village all day, and those who loaded and unloaded the seemingly endless coolers of food. These folks are Wouter Ketel, Keith Webber, George Stein, Lee McKeithan, Bobby Hill, Julius Coronel, Jason Jennette, Phelps Forrest, and Gregory Gilgo.
Delores Gaskins helped in many areas, including conducting interviews with visitors. Hazel Arthur handed out programs for us and Ann Ehringhaus took the famous group photo of all who gathered around the church. Frances Eubanks took pictures for us which we hope will be uploaded to our Photo Gallery very soon.
Many of the people mentioned above also worked at Portsmouth the 2 days before Homecoming to ready the village and to begin work on the Carl Dixon house in preparation of a future painting date. Thanks to Phelps Forrest, Jim White, Leonard Huber and Julius Coronel for the prep work they did on the house, and all those who helped set up tents, swept out and cleaned houses, cleaned the church, prepared lunch for two days, and got everything in order for the special day.
Our very special thanks to the Homecoming Committee, chaired by FPI Vice President Kathy McNeilly, and Ed & Rene Burgess and Jim & Nancy White. They have worked on this for over a year and their time and efforts are much appreciated. We thank BG Horvat of CALO for his involvement with the committee on behalf of the Park, as well as Pat Kenney and all the staff at CALO. We appreciate the help of the Ocracoke Preservation Society and the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum for their support and efforts in several areas.
It was a wonderful day! If you were there we are glad you were, and if not, we hope you will come to the next Homecoming in 2018. The date has not been set yet but we will announce it once it is finalized.
Homecoming Updates!
Please remember to call the Austins at 252-928-4361 for your reservation over to Portsmouth on April 30. The early boats are filling up, so call now!
If you haven’t made your ferry reservations yet, call 800-293-3779 for the Cedar Island and Swan Quarter ferries or go online at www.ncferry.org. Remember there are other events going on that week so reservations should be made now to ensure you get the time you want. The Hatteras ferry is free but you should account for possible lines and a longer trip over to Ocracoke than in prior years.
At Homecoming the first boats will begin going back to Ocracoke at 2:00 pm. If you are staying on Ocracoke Saturday night or not in a rush to catch a ferry back, stay a little longer and catch a later boat back!
Please remember to bring food and beverage to share, and fried chicken and meats are especially welcome! Label your coolers and any food containers/dishes you need to pick up. Remember you won’t have to carry any of this to and from the dock – we will do that for you!
Please call Rosanne Penley at 828-439-5424 or Kathy McNeilly at 828-443-0597 if you have any questions or concerns. Leave a message and we will return your call. Or you may e-mail Rosanne at Rosanne.Penley@gmail.com.
Homecoming Update/Schedule of Events
As of this writing, March 19, there are a few motel rooms available on Ocracoke for Friday and Saturday nights. They are the Cove Bed & Breakfast, the Silver Lake Motel and the Ocracoke Harbor Inn.
On Friday afternoon there will be a special photography exhibit of Portsmouth Island at the Ocracoke Preservation Society museum down by the ferry docks. This will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and all are invited. Please come out and support the museum and the exhibit.
Schedule of Events include:
9:00 – Buildings/tents open, registration
9:30 – Christening service in church
10:00- Hymn singing in church / children’s activities begin
10:30- Group picture at the church
11:00- Homecoming program under the big tent
12:00- Dinner on the grounds
1:00 – Buildings reopen and children’s activities resume
2:00 – Boats begin returning to Ocracoke
Buildings scheduled to be open at this time are the Visitor Center (Salter House), Post Office, School, Henry Pigott House, Washington Roberts House, Gilgo House, and Lifesaving Station.
New this year is a special descendant tent for all to gather to look at photos, scrapbooks, family trees, etc. in celebration of our Portsmouth families.
Cape Lookout National Seashore will host the kids in a rousing game of croquet with a special Portsmouth theme. We also will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Seashore and the Centennial of the National Park Service!
Be sure to get your raffle tickets to get your name in the hat for the beautiful Portsmouth quilt you will see displayed in the village, as well as a beautiful canvas painting of Henry Pigott’s house and other great prizes. You will have plenty of time to check out our new Portsmouth t-shirts and tote bags.
Please bring food and beverage to share for the meal – meats are most welcome – and label any food containers/coolers.
Stay tuned for updates!
Homecoming 2016 Details!
Join us Saturday, April 30, as we celebrate “The Families of Portsmouth” and the 50th Anniversary of Cape Lookout National Seashore and the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service! You will want to be a part of this!
Reservations to Portsmouth should be made by calling Rudy Austin in early April: 252-928-4361. Please do not call before April 1st. The cost of the ride to Portsmouth is $20 per person round trip.
The NC Ferry service often changes schedules. Contact them directly for reservations to Ocracoke. (800-293-3779 or www.ncferry.org.).
There will be a special Descendant Tent for
Portsmouth families to gather and share their photographs , family trees, scrapbooks, and memories. There will be people under the tent to help, and your family treasures will be well cared for as you choose to attend the different gatherings during the day.
The Post Office will be open to stamp your mail from Portsmouth, there will be hymn singing in the church once again, and there will be some very special family christenings in the church as well. There are special events planned for children also. The Homecoming Program will be held under the large tent and we will have a special celebration of Cape Lookout’s 50th Anniversary and the National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary! And as always, the best food in the world will be served after the program – food that we have all brought to share. Ice, water, paper products, and tables and chairs will be provided. Everyone needs to bring food to SHARE and any beverage you prefer. Please label your food containers and coolers so you may find them easily on the way back to the dock.
New Portsmouth t-shirts will be available as well as other Portsmouth items.
Boats returning to Ocracoke will run as long as needed to get everyone off Portsmouth.
Contact numbers for more information are: Kathy McNeilly (828-448-0597) or Rosanne Penley (828-439-5424)
Visit our website and our Facebook page (Friends of Portsmouth Island) for any news or updates to this schedule.
NOTE: IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, HOMECOMING WILL BE HELD AT THE ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH AT OCRACOKE LOCATED ON LIGHTHOUSE ROAD.
We understand a lot of the motels at Ocracoke are already booked, so start making reservations now if you haven’t already. Bring the whole family and rent a cottage from one of the rental agencies on the island. Some of the motels have cottages for rent also.
Heads Up – Homecoming Room Reservations!
We have learned that motel rooms at Ocracoke are booking up fast Homecoming weekend due in part to the Ocracoke Invitational Fishing Tournament being held April 28-29. Homecoming is April 30. If you plan to stay the Thursday/Friday night before Homecoming or Saturday night, we encourage you to call and make reservations right away. For first-timers, google “Ocracoke NC Lodging” and you will be able to find listings of motels, bed and breakfasts, condo units, and cottage rental agencies. The Sand Dollar Motel has graciously agreed to extend a discount to FPI members for homecoming reservations, but it is first come-first served. We are making our reservations now and hope you will do the same!
Homecoming 2016
“The Families of Portsmouth” – April 30, 2016
All FPI members will be receiving a letter from the Homecoming 2016 committee this week. The committee is hard at work to make this a very special homecoming, and we need your help – especially if you are a descendant! The Homecoming Committee will also be updating us at the fall meeting on September 19.
More details to follow, so please check back!