A story of man and nature
The Columbia Theater Cultural Resources Center is an environmental and cultural history museum focusing on human interaction with the environment in The Sounds, especially as witnessed through the heritage of farming, fishing, and forestry. Exhibit areas help tell the story of how people have made use of the region's resources through the centuries, while a variety of antiques and other items show visitors some of the common household and business wares of eras past.

A combination of environmental education and local history awaits you in this renovated movie palace, including:

artifacts from fishing, forestry and farming in the Albemarle Sound region
"Hunter Jim," who'll tell you of hunting traditions in The Sounds
an in-depth video featuring local voices
a variety of other displays that bring coastal North Carolina's heritage to life
programs for schools and other groups.

The Columbia Theater Cultural Resources Center is housed in the old Columbia Theater built in 1938 by German immigrant Fred Schlez. The Columbia Theatre was the finest movie palace around, and everyone came to town to see the movies. The Columbia Theater closed in the late 1960s and was vacant until 1995 when the Partnership for The Sounds began renovating the building. The Columbia Theater Cultural Resources Center opened in October of 1998.

Related Organizations North Carolina Estuarium   Washington, NC 27889 The North Carolina Estuarium is an educational center that spotlights the importance of the state's coastal rivers and sounds. It focuses on North Carolina's Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system, which is the second largest estuary (system where salt and freshwater mix) in the nation. Science, art, nature and history come together for a great experience for the visitor.