Plan would use 1903 courthouse in N.C. for museum

By Michelle Wagner

Correspondent

The Roanoke Island Historical Association and the Dare County Arts Council are looking to join together to use the historic Dare County Courthouse in downtown Manteo to commemorate the county's rich history and the arts.

The two groups have submitted proposals to the Dare County Board of Commissioners and are expected to make a more formal presentation to the board during its Oct. 6 meeting, said Dare County Attorney Bobby Outten.

Two additional proposals were made by local individuals, one who suggested creating a Dare County Historical Society and using the building for the group. The other

proposed the establishment of a Heritage of Roanoke Island Information Center.

By including the Lost Colony Museum, a gift shop, art gallery and ticket center, the 1903 brick, columned courthouse could be converted into "an exciting celebration of Dare County and the Town of Manteo's heritage," according to the proposal submitted by the historical association's chairman, Christopher Seawell.

The Roanoke Island Historical Association produces "The Lost Colony." The arts council promotes the arts in Dare County.

The building has been unoccupied since operations moved from there to the new Dare County Justice Center in October of 2002. Commissioners looked to renovate the building into a commissioners meeting room earlier this year, but estimates came in too high.

"We would love to have the bottom floor of the courthouse," said Laura Martier, executive director of the arts council. "It would double the space we have right now. The old courthouse is the heart of the county, and the Dare County Arts Council is the heart of the arts for the community."

A museum would include permanent and changing exhibits that would depict "The Lost Colony" in context with the county and the town at that time.

An art gallery would feature a show-and-sell area for the work of local, regional and national artists.

A workshop room would offer more artful educational opportunities about both local craft and the fine arts, according to the arts council's proposal. Class offerings would include artistic and creative medi a and feature local and visiting instructors.

The workshop space would also be used for conferences, meetings and educational programs.

Also, there would be space reserved for performances and receptions.

"The historic Courthouse is the perfect place to showcase all the arts: visual, performing, design, culinary and literary," the arts council's proposal read.

The building would be open for eight hours every day, excluding some holidays.

In its proposal, the association estimates that renovations would cost an estimated $544,387, and the groups are asking that the county fund those renovations while the association contracts and oversees the work on behalf of the county. It is also suggested that the county continue to pay operating and maintenance costs.

The association and council plan to apply for grants and request in-kind donations to underwrite, design and create the museum. It is estimated that the design and implementation of the museum and other components of the proposal would cost an estimated $1 million.