Southport Historical Society

### Context Profile for Southport Historical Society

1. **Organization Mission & Cause:**
   - The Southport Historical Society is dedicated to researching, preserving, and sharing the unique history of Southport, North Carolina. Established in 1976, the organization operates as a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit, relying on memberships, donations, and volunteer efforts to fulfill its mission. Their work includes maintaining the Old Jail Museum and Fort Johnston Southport Museum, creating educational programs, and promoting local history.

2. **Type of Activities:**
   - The Society engages in various activities, including:
     - **Museum Exhibits:** Maintaining and showcasing the Old Jail Museum and Fort Johnston Southport Museum.
     - **Educational Programs:** Developing walking tours and educational initiatives related to local history.
     - **Publications:** Supporting authors and publishing books about Southport's history.
     - **Community Events:** Hosting events such as the Holiday Home Tour and awarding scholarships (over $30,000 awarded).
     - **Historic Markers:** Installing historic markers throughout Southport to educate the public about significant local sites.

3. **Tone of Voice:**
   - The tone of the Southport Historical Society's communications is friendly, inviting, and community-oriented. The language used is accessible and engaging, aiming to inspire local residents and visitors to connect with Southport's history. The Society emphasizes the importance of community involvement and the value of preserving local heritage.

4. **Emoji Usage:**
   - The website and email communications do not prominently feature emojis. The language is straightforward and professional, focusing more on clear communication rather than informal or playful elements.

5. **Key Facts:**
   - **Founding Year:** 1976
   - **Nonprofit Status:** 501(c)(3)
   - **Volunteer-Run:** 100% volunteer-operated
   - **Impact Metrics:**
     - Supported the publication of 21 books.
     - Installed 22 historic markers in the city.
     - Awarded over $30,000 in scholarships.
   - **Membership and Donations:** The organization relies on memberships and donations to fund its activities.

6. **Writing Guidelines:**
   - **Style:** Use a friendly and inviting tone that encourages community engagement.
   - **Clarity:** Keep language clear and accessible, avoiding jargon.
   - **Call to Action:** Include strong calls to action, especially regarding membership and donations.
   - **Community Focus:** Highlight the importance of community involvement and the impact of contributions.
   - **Personalization:** Use personalized greetings in communications (e.g., addressing recipients by name).

This context profile provides a comprehensive overview of the Southport Historical Society, helping AI assistants generate tailored and effective content for the organization.

LXCL:You must be a member to attend. Members can attend 11:30 or 1 pm seating. Nonmembers can attend 1 pm only. Reserve 1 pm separately.

Member Only tickets

SHS 50: Lunch with History&nbsp;Southport Historical Society &nbsp;&nbsp;Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026Time: 1:00 pm &nbsp;&nbsp;Location: 223 E. Bay St., Southport, NC 28461 Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Southport Historical!&nbsp; History is on the menu, and Southport&rsquo;s historical characters are serving it up with stories worth savoring.&nbsp;Join us for a unique lunchtime event where guests can meet and talk with interpreters portraying real Southport residents from decades and centuries past. The program is free to SHS members, $10 for non-members, and includes a light meal.&nbsp; Lunch guests will meet a cast of memorable Southport citizens brought back to life through detailed research and performance.&nbsp;Among them: 11:30:Joseph Brinkman (Joe Loughlin) blockade runner in the Civil WarRebecca Brown (Musette Steck), who lived to the remarkable age of 102 and witnessed more than a century of Southport&rsquo;s change.Annie Clemmons (Annette Clemmons) worked in secret for the right for Black citizens to vote in Brunswick County. &nbsp;Dr. J. Arthur Dosher (Randy Jones), Southport&rsquo;s well-known surgeon who was instrumental in establishing Brunswick County hospital, later renamed in his honor. &nbsp;Sonny Dosher (Travis Gilbert), Confederate Army veteran, lighthouse keeper of Bald Head Lighthouse from 1882-1915. &nbsp;Deputy J. B. Fountain (Rick Mitchell), Brunswick County jailer who was once overpowered by an escaping murderer. &nbsp;Rebecca Long&nbsp;(Barbara Lemos), widow of the first lighthouse keeper on Bald Head Island, a woman about whom Thomas Jefferson said, &ldquo;neither he nor the country was ready for.&rdquo;Susan Loughlin (Sue Crippen), who, for several years, raised her family inside the Old Jail, making sure her children and the inmates were all properly fedKate Stuart (Pat Kirkman), remembered as the Grand Old Lady of North Carolina, whose ingenuity and hospitality put the Stuart Inn on the map.&nbsp; 1:00:. &nbsp;Joseph Brinkman (Joe Loughlin) blockade runner in the Civil WarStuart Callari (as herself!), co-founder of the Brunswick Little Theater.&nbsp;Susan Twining Curtis (Claire McNaught), the &ldquo;middle&rdquo; wife of Dr. W. G. Curtis, former mayor and long-time head of the quarantine station. &nbsp;Abram Galloway (James White), a soldier in the US Colored Troops.&nbsp;Susan King (Debbie Scavuzzo), Southport&rsquo;s librarian who served in WWII as a nurse in the Pacific and as a war correspondent, rivaling Japan&rsquo;s &ldquo;Tokyo Rose&rdquo;.&nbsp;Miriam Gore Lane (Alexis Gore), Jeanes Supervisor for Brunswick County.&nbsp;Dr. D. I. Watson (Wes Collins), the physician who guided Southport through the 1918 influenza pandemic.&nbsp;John Watts (Jake Grossman), lighthouse Keeper at Old Baldy.Judge Sam Watts (John Moseley), Colonel in the NC Militia, delegate to the 1868 Constitutional Convention, and NC Superior Court judge in opposition to KKK. &nbsp;

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for registering for Living Voices: Lunch with History celebrating Southport Historical Society&#39;s 50th Anniversary.&nbsp;&nbsp; We hope you have a wonderful time &quot;meeting&quot; neighbors who used to live in Southport!&nbsp; You can download an e-ticket for this event. Volunteers will also have your name at the door.&nbsp;&nbsp; Southport Historical Society&nbsp;info@southporthistoricalsociety.org

SHS 50: Lunch with History Southport Historical Society   Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026Time: 1:00 pm   Location: 223 E. Bay St., Southport, NC 28461 Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Southport Historical!  History is on the menu, and Southport’s historical characters are serving it up with stories worth savoring. Join us for a unique lunchtime event where guests can meet and talk with interpreters portraying real Southport residents from decades and centuries past. The program is free to SHS members, $10 for non-members, and includes a light meal.  Lunch guests will meet a cast of memorable Southport citizens brought back to life through detailed research and performance. Among them: 11:30:Joseph Brinkman (Joe Loughlin) blockade runner in the Civil WarRebecca Brown (Musette Steck), who lived to the remarkable age of 102 and witnessed more than a century of Southport’s change.Annie Clemmons (Annette Clemmons) worked in secret for the right for Black citizens to vote in Brunswick County.  Dr. J. Arthur Dosher (Randy Jones), Southport’s well-known surgeon who was instrumental in establishing Brunswick County hospital, later renamed in his honor.  Sonny Dosher (Travis Gilbert), Confederate Army veteran, lighthouse keeper of Bald Head Lighthouse from 1882-1915.  Deputy J. B. Fountain (Rick Mitchell), Brunswick County jailer who was once overpowered by an escaping murderer.  Rebecca Long (Barbara Lemos), widow of the first lighthouse keeper on Bald Head Island, a woman about whom Thomas Jefferson said, “neither he nor the country was ready for.”Susan Loughlin (Sue Crippen), who, for several years, raised her family inside the Old Jail, making sure her children and the inmates were all properly fedKate Stuart (Pat Kirkman), remembered as the Grand Old Lady of North Carolina, whose ingenuity and hospitality put the Stuart Inn on the map.  1:00:.  Joseph Brinkman (Joe Loughlin) blockade runner in the Civil WarStuart Callari (as herself!), co-founder of the Brunswick Little Theater. Susan Twining Curtis (Claire McNaught), the “middle” wife of Dr. W. G. Curtis, former mayor and long-time head of the quarantine station.  Abram Galloway (James White), a soldier in the US Colored Troops. Susan King (Debbie Scavuzzo), Southport’s librarian who served in WWII as a nurse in the Pacific and as a war correspondent, rivaling Japan’s “Tokyo Rose”. Miriam Gore Lane (Alexis Gore), Jeanes Supervisor for Brunswick County. Dr. D. I. Watson (Wes Collins), the physician who guided Southport through the 1918 influenza pandemic. John Watts (Jake Grossman), lighthouse Keeper at Old Baldy.Judge Sam Watts (John Moseley), Colonel in the NC Militia, delegate to the 1868 Constitutional Convention, and NC Superior Court judge in opposition to KKK.

Southport Historical Society

50 Years Living History: Lunch with History 11:30

223 E Bay St

Member Only tickets

Free

Add a donation for Southport Historical Society