Graveyard of the Atlantic nominated for Best New Museum in USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Awards

A recent major renovation that has transformed the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum into a cutting-edge destination that explores the state’s rich maritime history is being recognized nationally.

The Hatteras museum, part of the North Carolina Maritime Museum System under the state’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, has been nominated for Best New Museum in the USA Today 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards. Voting begins Nov. 25 at noon and continues until 11:59 a.m. Dec. 23.

Voting is free, and you can vote daily at 10best.usatoday.com/qr/44284/. The top 10 winners will be announced on Jan. 2 at noon.

“This nomination highlights the tremendous efforts that went into the museum’s renovation, which have significantly enhanced its ability to share the history and culture of North Carolina’s coast,” Maritime Museums Director Maria Vann said. “The Maritime Museums staff and I are all proud to be part of this national recognition and even more excited by the new design, which offers visitors a deeper connection to our maritime past.”

While the museum itself is not technically new, the experience visitors now have there is., thanks to a complete overhaul. The renovation process began in late 2022, with Riggs Ward Design collaborating closely with state staff members specializing in maritime history in every step of the design process and the installation. The museum reopened to the public in May of 2024.

Notable highlights of the newly redesigned museum include a striking Monomoy surf boat centerpiece with life-sized figures manning the boat, a first-order Fresnel lens from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and interactive exhibits showcasing shipwrecks off the coast of North Carolina.

The revamped museum also boasts an array of interactive experiences, from touch screens to holographic video displays, providing visitors with engaging ways to delve into the region’s maritime heritage. Children, in particular, can enjoy scavenger hunts and tailored programs designed to both educate and entertain.

“The positive response from the public has been phenomenal, which is particularly gratifying after all the hard work that went into the new space,” Vann said. “Now I’m eager to see that same response once the USA Today 10 Best voting opens.”