Category: Uncategorized

Posted on

Village Update!

Those of you who have been to Portsmouth recently – at Homecoming or otherwise – undoubtedly noticed what terrible shape the Harry and Lida Dixon House is in. Work has begun! This photo of the Park maintenance crew working on the roof was taken June 27 by current Park volunteer Ted Summey. Thank you, maintenance staff!! And thanks, Ted, for taking and sending us this photo.

Below are earlier pictures of the progress as they got started. CALO’s maintenance crew is the best! Ted took these photos also.

Posted on

HOMECOMING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – APRIL 27, 2024

Don’t forget to make your ferry reservations to Portsmouth with the Austins! Also, be sure to get your ferry reservations to Ocracoke now if you are coming via Swan Quarter or Cedar Island – ferries are filling up fast! If coming from Hatteras, plan to be on the earliest one you can to get over in time to be with us. Be sure to stop by the sign in table to pick up your Homecoming 2024 pin!

All descendants are invited to bring family photographs, scrapbooks, displays, etc. to the McWilliams-Dixon house (next to the church). Your items will be safely displayed and can be picked up on your way back to the boat at the end of this fabulous day.

Posted on

HOMECOMING 2024 UPDATE!

Please click on the Homecoming 2024 tab above for all the information you need to attend the big day on April 27. All are invited to attend and bring a covered dish as we celebrate the families of Portsmouth and the Lifesaving Station. This is a public event.

Remember to make lodging reservations ASAP, as well as ferry reservations the day before if coming from Cedar Island or Swan Quarter. You can make those reservations now. If arriving from the Hatteras ferry, be sure to take the earliest one you can to account for the longer ferry time and the drive into Ocracoke. Boat reservations with the Austins will be available in early April as noted on the Homecoming information under the tab. We look forward to seeing everyone!

Posted on

Fall 2023 Meeting Update

Thanks to all of you who attended Saturday’s meeting at the Sanitary Restaurant in Morehead City. We had a good turnout of 39 people, and everyone enjoyed Dr. Stanley Rule’s fascinating and well-researched presentation on the hunting & fishing clubs, also known as the “cabin culture”, of Eastern North Carolina. If you weren’t able to attend the meeting – or if you were there and would like some more information – check out the website cabinculturesobx.com.

During the meeting, FPI also presented its first-ever scholarship! The scholarship was awarded to Mason Anderson, daughter of Tom and Crystal Anderson. Mason is a freshman at East Carolina University majoring in art education, hoping to become an art teacher – and following in the footsteps of her great grandmother, Lucy Gilgo, who taught school in Portsmouth Village. Congratulations Mason!

Posted on

Rest In Peace

James “Jim” Edward White III

April 24, 1949 – February 11, 2023

We regret to announce the sudden passing of board member Jim White. Many of you will remember Jim from the Portsmouth books he has written or Portsmouth homecomings he has emceed. Jim was an author, historian, educator, and a proud Portsmouth descendent. He and his wife Nancy have both been active in FPI activities over the years, whether it be work days at Portsmouth, meetings, or hauling around FPI supplies in Jim’s big truck. Jim’s arrangements are through Daniels-Sadler Funeral Home and the funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 18, at 11:00 am at Bethany Christian Church of Jasper, NC. Our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy and their family and friends during this very sad time.

Posted on

Doctor’s Creek Journal

All members should have received the latest issue of the Doctor’s Creek Journal (end of year winter issue). We say goodbye to our outgoing editor, Ray McAllister, and welcome to Peter Vankevich effective 2022. Be sure to check out the feature story about the Oscar Rue family and their special connection to Portsmouth, as well as current member news. Homecoming and raffle information will be mailed to all members in the early part of 2022. Happy New Year!

Posted on

Fall Meeting – September 18, 2021

Reminder that our fall membership meeting on September 18 will be at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum on Harkers Island. Our special program will be “Portsmouth Hunting Camps – Generations of Memories”, a panel discussion with Portsmouth waterfowling families. Jeff West, Superintendent of Cape Lookout National Seashore, will also speak and we will draw the names of the lucky winners of the Homecoming 2020 raffle. Join us at 10:00 am and plan to tour the museum after the meeting. We look forward to seeing everyone again!

Posted on

Spring Meeting Cancelled

After much thought and input, we have decided to cancel our spring meeting at Ocracoke, which was to be held on May 15. However, we are confident that we can hold our fall meeting on September 18. We feel that most people will either be vaccinated and/or comfortable traveling by then. Please stay tuned to this website and our Facebook page for details on the Fall Meeting, which will be held in the Down East area on Saturday, September 18. It’s time to get back together folks!

Posted on

Homecoming 2022 / Spring Meeting

We are pleased to announce that Homecoming at Portsmouth will be April 23, 2022.  Mark this on your calendar so you will have a year to plan your trip. Stay tuned to our website and our Facebook page for updates as we get them.

We are still unsure as to whether we will hold the May 15, 2021 membership meeting at Ocracoke, but will notify all members and post here and on our Facebook page when a decision has been made.