BY MILES LAYTON

SWAN QUARTER — Hyde County’s rich heritage and promising future were both in the spotlight Monday night as county commissioners heard presentations on the recently completed America 250 NC Grant Project and received an update on major school facility improvements from Superintendent Dr. Melanie Shaver.

America 250 Booklet Honors County’s History

Richard Mann, Hyde County’s Economic Development and Planning Director, opened the meeting by recognizing the successful completion of the county’s America 250 project—funded by a $10,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The county used the grant to create a detailed historical booklet highlighting Hyde’s mainland and Ocracoke communities. “It’s a great pamphlet,” Mann said. “If you haven’t seen it, copies are available at the courthouse, Ocracoke’s community center, and at several ferry terminals. It’s also online through a link on the county website.”

The project, part of a statewide initiative leading up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, aims to celebrate and preserve local stories and traditions.

Linda Gray Mayo, chairperson of the Hyde County America 250th NC Committee, provided commissioners with further insight into the booklet’s creation and the broader commemoration plans.

Mayo was quick to credit the teamwork behind the project. While she chaired the committee, she humbly stated, “I had almost nothing to do with the success.” She praised Mann and former county intern Alex Bedick for preparing the grant application, as well as Margie Brooks and other contributors who helped research and write the booklet’s content.

Beyond the publication, Mayo said the committee has launched a Facebook page—America250 Hyde County Inc.—which shares historical facts and stories every Friday. She encouraged the public to follow and engage with the content.

“The Historical Society appreciate you caring about the history of Hyde county, because here’s the important thing — if you don’t remember history and you don’t study history, you’re fine to repeat history,” Mayo said.

2026 Events Will Highlight Local and National History

Most major celebration events are planned for 2026 to coincide with the official 250th anniversary of American independence. Mayo outlined a calendar of upcoming events tied to Hyde’s historical legacy:

• In May 2026, the Hyde County Historical Society will host a special meeting with presentations on the American Revolution and the Constitution. The featured guest speaker will be Edenton attorney Sambo Dixon, who will discuss the historical significance of Hayes Plantation, a site linked to Hyde County’s early records.
• The Fourth of July parade on Ocracoke will take on a 250th anniversary theme in 2026, showcasing Revolutionary War-era patriotism and Hyde’s colonial roots.
• On October 20, 2026, during Farm Days, local historian Sandra Tunnell will lead a display honoring Hyde County’s agricultural past. Mayo encouraged anyone with old farm equipment or photos to contribute to the event.

In closing, Mayo reminded the commissioners of history’s importance. “If you don’t remember history and you don’t study history,” she said, “you’re bound to repeat it.”

The historical booklet has proven popular already. One commissioner noted that a full box of booklets placed aboard the Swan Quarter ferry was gone within a day. “They’re going like hotcakes,” Mayo said with a grin. She added that continuing the project next year will require additional funding and asked the board to consider supporting it again.

Superintendent Shaver Reports on School Improvements

Also at Monday’s meeting, Hyde County Schools Superintendent Dr. Melanie Shaver delivered an update on major capital improvements funded through the state’s needs-based public school capital grants — a lot of construction work being done at Mattamuskeet School.

Dr. Shaver detailed a busy and productive summer at the schools.

“We’ve completely redone the floors in the 100, 200, and most of the 400 buildings,” she said, explaining that the old floors had settled and cracked, becoming a safety hazard. The floors were replaced with a durable, medical-grade vinyl, and the renovations included new baseboards, ceiling grids, and ceiling tiles.

“It looks really great in there,” she said, urging commissioners to stop by and see the improvements once classrooms are fully set up. “Our teachers are doing an amazing job getting ready for students next week.”

Even more significant changes are on the horizon. Dr. Shaver announced that contractors are preparing to drive more than 750 pilings into the ground to support a new school building. “That’s going to take about seven weeks,” she said. “But it’s really exciting to see it coming together.”

The total construction budget for the new building exceeds $25 million, with an additional cost anticipated for the development of a new athletic complex.

“These projects are about more than buildings,” Shaver emphasized. “They represent opportunity—for our students, our staff, and the entire community. Thank you for being our partners in that work.”

A few things

In other news, Jacob Mason has been selected as Hyde County’s Youth Delegate for this year’s NCACC Annual Conference. YouthVoice provides county commissioners with the opportunity to connect with the next generation of leaders. The event brings together Youth Delegates from 4-H Youth Development clubs and Boys and Girls Clubs of North Carolina.

Also, Daniel Brinn was appointed to serve as a member of the North Carolina Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition based on his experience and ongoing involvement in issues affecting our coastal environment and fisheries.

“With increasing legislative and regulatory challenges facing North Carolina’s commercial fishing industry, coastal counties are being asked to unite in defense of this vital economic and cultural sector,” according to the agenda packet. “A proposal has been made to form a North Carolina Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition, bringing together county leaders to advocate collectively for the sustainability and protection of our fisheries and coastal communities.”

Looking Ahead

More from the commission meeting will appear in a future story. For now, these Monday’s presentations reflected a shared commitment to honoring Hyde County’s past while building a stronger future. From preserving Revolutionary War-era history to preparing modern learning environments for the next generation, the commission heard clear evidence that Hyde is both remembering where it came from and investing in where it’s going.

As the America 250 celebrations ramp up and school construction progresses, the county will continue to celebrate milestones that matter—past, present, and future.