A Living History Performance by Joseph Smith
Saturday, November 29 at 4:00 PM
Sunday, November 30 at 11:00 AM
Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education
1160 Village Ln, Corolla, NC 27927
In celebration of the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse (December 1, 1875 – 2025), the Outer Banks Conservationists and The Northern Outer Banks proudly present Joseph Smith, a New York–based living history performer, in two special performances of his one-man play, Augustin Fresnel: Through a New Lens.
Through drama and storytelling, Mr. Smith brings to life Augustin Fresnel (1788 – 1827)—the French physicist and civil engineer whose invention of the Fresnel lens transformed maritime navigation by dramatically extending the brightness and range of lighthouses around the world. The original first-order Fresnel lens installed in the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in 1875 remains one of the last of its kind still an active aid to navigation.
Mr. Smith is renowned for his historically grounded portrayals of figures central to maritime innovation and preservation. His performances seek to illuminate the human stories behind technological breakthroughs, inspiring appreciation for coastal history and lighthouse heritage.
Both performances will take place at the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education in Corolla. Admission is free, and donations supporting another 150 years of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse are welcome.
