RALEIGH — The North Carolina Aquariums are splashing into their golden anniversary. A division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the Aquariums are celebrating 50 years of connecting people with the wonders of aquatic life, inspiring appreciation, advancing education, and promoting conservation.
Established in 1976 as Marine Resources Centers, the NC Aquariums at Fort Fisher, at Pine Knoll Shores and on Roanoke Island have grown into beloved statewide attractions that welcome more than a million visitors each year. With the addition of Jennette’s Pier in 2011, today the Aquariums stand as vibrant gateways to discovery, conservation and connection, bringing visitors face-to-fin with aquatic life and ecosystems.
“For 50 years, the North Carolina Aquariums have played a vital role in inspiring visitors, strengthening coastal communities, and protecting the natural resources that make our state so special,” said Pamela B. Cashwell, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “This anniversary reflects decades of visionary leadership, sustained community support and dedicated staff who have ensured the Aquariums remain places of learning, wonder, and conservation for generations of North Carolinians.”…