By Peter Vankevich
Portsmouth Island these days is normally quiet with small groups of visitors braving the notorious mosquitoes in summer and those fewer in number who visit in fall and winter for the solitude, photography and nature.
Kind of like the musical “Brigadoon,” every two years the uninhabited island comes alive and fills with descendants of those who once lived on this island and many others attracted to its history for the bi-annual Portsmouth Island Homecoming.
This year’s event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27.
Sponsored by the Friends of Portsmouth Island and hosted by Cape Lookout National Seashore, the theme this year is “Celebrating 130 Years of the Portsmouth Lifesaving Station.”
It is a festive day. Here are the buildings that will be open to visit:
A hymn singing will take place in the Methodist Church and the post office will be open and have a special cancellation stamp for letters.
Historian David Quinn, a Portsmouth descendant, will emcee the program under a tent next to the church at 11 a.m. to honor the village and its families.
On the agenda is folk singer Connie Mason who will sing “Marian’s Song,” in honor of Marian Babb, one of the last residents of the island.
Descendant Carol Scheppard will perform “Mingulay Boat Song” on bagpipes.
Cape Lookout National Seashore Superintendent Jeff West will provide updates on the village over the last year.
The tradition of the Roll Call of the Families will continue, concluding with the Ringing of the Church Bell to Call Us Together by long-time village caretaker volunteers Ed and Rene Burgess.
Visitor Center (Salter-Dixon house)
Post Office
Henry Pigott House
Schoolhouse
Methodist Church
Lifesaving Station
Jesse Babb House
McWilliams-Dixon House (descendent displays will be here)
Roy Robinson-Lionel Gilgo House
Styron-Bragg House
Washington Roberts House
After the ceremony, a large potluck luncheon follows.
Established in 1753, Portsmouth Island, located on the southern side of Ocracoke Inlet, was once the biggest port community along the Outer Banks. The town of Portsmouth functioned as a lightering port, where cargo from ocean-going vessels could be transferred to shallow-draft vessels capable of traversing Pamlico and Core Sounds. At its peak in 1860, Portsmouth village had nearly 700 residents.
During the Civil War, the village was occupied at various times by both Confederate and Union forces that caused a massive evacuation of the residents. Although many returned, a decline in both the population and the economic importance of the village continued. Ravaging hurricanes, predating to 1846, when one created Oregon and Hatteras Inlets that made better shipping channels, were another major factor.
By the late 1960s, the village had just three residents: Henry Pigott, Marian Gray Babb and Nora Dixon.
Pigott ran the mail boat from Portsmouth to Ocracoke and took care of the two women until he fell ill in 1970 and died 1971. The women moved away soon after. The island is now part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore.
The island is accessible only by boat and service from Ocracoke to Portsmouth will be provided by Portsmouth Island Boat Tours and will begin at 8 a.m. and cost $25 round-trip per person. Boats will run back and forth all day.
To make a reservation, call 252-928-4361.
Dress appropriately according to the weather, wear comfortable walking shoes and bring bug spray.
For more information on Friends of Portsmouth Island and the upcoming event, visit https://friendsofportsmouthisland.org/fopi.
