From the birth of Hollywood legends to the journey of the Underground Railroad, discover the stories that shaped Washington and Beaufort County

Local Culture & History

Discover Our Cultural Landmarks

  • Historic Turnage Theatre

    The cultural anchor of Washington, preserving over a century of performing arts history.

    Explore History

  • Vaudeville Museum of the Southeast

    A rare collection housed within the Turnage, dedicated to the golden age of touring theater.

  • Underground RR Museum

    Documenting the brave journeys and local history of the Underground Railroad in our region.

    Visit Site

  • P.S. Jones African American Museum

    Preserving the legacy of P.S. Jones High School and the heritage of our African American community.

    Learn More

  • Historic Bath State Site

    North Carolina’s oldest town (est. 1705), offering a window into colonial life and maritime history.

    Visit Bath

  • Belhaven History Museum

    Famous for its eclectic and vast collection of local memorabilia from the "Birthplace of the Intracoastal Waterway"

    Visit Belhaven

  • Washington History Museum at the Depot & Brown Library

    The Brown Library is a cornerstone of local preservation. Currently the site of the historic Brown Library archives,

    The historic Atlantic Coast Line rairoad depot is evolving into the future History of Washington Museum, dedicated to the stories of our 'Original Washington.

    Click Here

The Turnage Theatre is proud to be part of North Carolina’s rich architectural and cultural map

Stories of the Pamlico

From the silver screen to the printed page, Beaufort County has long served as a backdrop and inspiration for legendary storytellers.

Cecil B. DeMille

A Director’s Childhood

Before he became the legendary director of The Ten Commandments, Cecil B. DeMille spent his formative years in "Little Washington." His father, Henry DeMille, was a playwright and lay reader at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, deeply rooting the family in our local community.

Source: NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Murray Hamilton

Born on the Pamlico

Known to many as the iconic Mayor of Amity in the blockbuster JAWS, actor Murray Hamilton was born and raised in Washington, NC. Throughout a career spanning over four decades in film and television, he remained a proud son of the Pamlico.

Source: IMDb

Nicholas Sparks

Little Washington in Fiction

In his novel Dreamland, #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks features the Historic Turnage Theatre. He describes Washington as a peaceful town where "those who like the arts... can watch plays performed by other locals" at the Turnage.

Source: "Dreamland" by Nicholas Sparks

The Archive is Growing

We are currently digitizing local records and collecting narratives to further document the rich creative heritage of our region. Check back often as we uncover more stories of the Pamlico.

Community Impact & Innovation

Youth Public Art

Empowering Washington’s youth to transform our urban landscape through public art. Our 2025 Mural Camp brought color and creativity to downtown while teaching collaboration and technical skill.

Arts & Wellness Garden

A collaborative sanctuary in the heart of downtown Washington. In partnership with the Pamlico Rose Institute and AmeriCorps, we are transforming our exterior space into a wellness garden for outdoor learning and interactive art

This isn't just a garden, it’s a living classroom where Beaufort County’s children are leading the design through hands-on art and ecology.

Register Now for our Youth Spring Break Camps

Sign-Up: Camp #1
Sign-Up: Camp #2