Raising Blackbeard's "Queen Anne's Revenge"

Public Education/Exhibits

The public was immediately attracted to the discovery of Blackbeard's flagship, and the exhibition of its artifacts will draw large crowds. This is evidenced by the small Queen Anne's Revenge traveling exhibit that has been shown around the state and viewed by tens of thousands of people. The presence of NCMM's maritime archaeology conservation facility with viewing gallery planned for Gallants Channel will be a significant tourist attraction.

Exhibition of materials from Queen Anne's Revenge will draw people's attention, but the artifacts must be interpreted in context. This means presenting the process of archaeology and its interrelationship with associated social sciences (history and anthropology) and physical sciences (geology and biology) as a holistic educational package. The exhibit A Slave Ship Speaks, The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie, is a good example of how the interpretation of archaeological remains not only contributes to an understanding not only of life aboard a ship itself but also reflects worldwide socioeconomic practices at the time of its sinking. Information from Queen Anne's Revenge can contribute to a better public understanding of topics such as seafaring in the early eighteenth century, life as a pirate, the relationship between enslaved Africans and pirates, and the long-term effects of the coastal environment on man-made objects.

Professional educators have been quick to recognize the potential that Queen Anne's Revenge has to "hook" people, particularly school-aged children. Through a variety of programs and exercises related to the shipwreck, educators are able to promote hands-on learning and integrate history, language arts, mathematics, and science. Students are encouraged to use teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to investigate and interpret the shipwreck remains. Thus far, major educational initiatives for Queen Anne's Revenge have included: a.) the development of outreach programs and teacher workshops by the NCMM and the Cape Fear Museum; b.) a public documentary by UNC-TV; c.) a Division of Archives and History (DAH) Web site dedicated to the Queen Anne's Revenge project (www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/qar/default.htm); d.) an educational Queen Anne's Revenge Web site by the ECU Center for Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education (blackbeard.eastnet.ecu.edu/bbeard/main.html); e.) an interactive Internet program called "Teacher's Connect/ A Town Meeting" sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction; and f.) a national scholastic publication (Superscience, February 1999), which focused on Queen Anne's Revenge and the conservation of materials from the site. One futuristic plan being explored is to link archaeologists working on the site 20 feet below the ocean with students in classrooms throughout the state and beyond to provide a live, interactive dialogue. Educational coordinators see an unlimited potential for presenting Queen Anne's Revenge's findings to all ages and educational levels.