Have you noticed a pirate flag flying in Columbus lately? The House of Flags Museum in Columbus, N.C. will host a unique exhibit starting Sept. 19, 2014 – Historic Flags of the Golden Age of Piracy. More than 20 different pirates flag replicas will be on display in the “Pirates’ Brig” through the end of the year. See flags of the pirates who struck fear along the Carolinas’ coast during the early 1700s: Edward Thatch “Blackbeard” (1716 – 1718) and Stede Bonnet (1717- 1718). Unfortunately, pirate flags are shrouded in mystery. Little is known about the “authentic” flags of many pirates or how they actually became associated with anyone pirate. Some captains of captured ships made notes in the ships log book or had their sightings recorded in court documents.

The Pirate Flag exhibit opens to the public on Friday Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. “International Talk Like a Pirate Day.” Kids of all ages are invited to bring their best pirate imitation and enjoy pirate music, sea shanties, and pirate treasure hunts. Several well-researched books on pirates of the coastal America and pirate gifts are available in the Museum’s Gift shop.

Look for a different pirate flag flying in front of the museum each week. The House of Flags Museum is located at 33 Gibson St. in Columbus. Regular hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Group tours by arrangement. And as always, admission is free, and donations are greatly appreciated. For more information, go to www.flagmuseum.org or call 828-894-5640.

 

– article submitted
by Robert Williamson