OBCF Awards Grant to Odd Fellows Lodge Project

Ocracoke Preservation Society received a $15,000 grant on September 11, 2018. The grant was endowed by The Outer Banks Community Foundationfor the purpose of the Stabilization of the Odd Fellow Lodge. The grant will be paid from the Diane and Nelson Henderson Endowment Fund, the Shirley and David Doran Memorial Fund, and the Community Fund.

The goal of the project is to provide the necessary stabilization of the Odd Fellow Lodge structure. Money will be allocated to The Island Inn Committee of Ocracoke Preservation Society Executive Board, which will pursue the stabilization effort. The project will be headed by The Island Inn Committee. The Island Inn Committee consists of Ken DeBarth, president of OPS as chairman; Otis Hurd, retired accountant, treasurer of OPS as treasurer; Andrea Powers, administrator of OPS as secretary; Bill Cole, community volunteer; Ed Norvell, attorney and island property owner with significant non-profit and land trust experience; Tom Pahl, local contractor and county commissioner; and Bill Rich, Hyde County businessman, land owner and recently retired Hyde County Manager as members.

Ocracoke Preservation Society along with the Island Inn Committee would like to thank the Outer Banks Community Foundation, the board of directors and executive director for awarding this grant is support of our project.

“We are glad to become stewards of this historic property,” said Ken DeBarth, OPS President. “We have a lot of work to do. We need to find funds to do all the things we plan. We are looking for grants and other sources. This is a several year project but we are excited to take it on.”

Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum and Gift Shop is dedicated to encouraging, assisting, advising and participating in the identification, preservation, and restoration of significant structures, buildings, districts, objects of local interest, historic charm, distinctive character and natural endowments of Ocracoke Island. Some of the projects OPS has initiated and continues to support in addition to the Odd Fellows Lodge Project are: Save An Old House Fund, The Historic District, Save An Old Boat Fund, Land Trust Fund and Collections Management including artifacts, documents, photographs and ephemera, the preservation, archival and digitization manage of such.

Ocracoke Preservation Society was formed in 1983 with the intent to preserve the unique island culture and history for the enjoyment and education of the community and its visitors.