One hundred and fifty guests crowded into Lumina Hall Sunday, Oct. 5, piling plates with steaming shrimp to raise money for the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History and to honor two of its greatest advocates.
The inaugural shrimperoo was held in 2009 at the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, with Chris Stone and Wright Holman boiling shrimp for around 30 guests. With the death of Stone and Holman in 2014 and 2011 respectively, the annual Wright Holman Shrimperoo now serves to honor the two men and recognize their dedication to preserving the town’s history.
Guests recounted memories of Stone and Holman, both of whom lived on or near Wrightsville Beach throughout their lives. Kyle Lackey, who took over shrimp-boiling duties this year, said Holman worked to preserve Wrightsville Beach’s history by serving on the museum’s board of directors, and also through his approach to architecture and construction.
“He was always big on preserving the history of the beach instead of tearing it down and building new houses,” Lackey said. “It was always about restoring the old [houses], that was his mindset.”
Chris Stone was interested in preserving Wrightsville Beach’s history as well, although Madeline Flagler, Wrightsville Beach Museum of History director, said part of his legacy will also be his impact on the beach’s future.
When he died in April, Flagler said, his family requested any donations be made in his name to the museum, which would in turn use the money to create a program to educate children about various aspects of the beach.
“Kids were such a large part of his life,” Flagler said. “He felt like they were such an important part of our future.”
Flagler said the goal would be to teach children about shrimping, sailing, waterskiing and fishing, just as Stone taught his own nieces, nephews, sons, daughters and grandchildren those skills.
The fund has reached $7,000.
“I think it really demonstrates how much he meant to people in this town,” Flagler said.
After Flagler gave a brief speech recognizing Stone and Holman, guests helped themselves to shrimp and side dishes provided by Middle of the Island while the South Hammock Bluegrass Band entertained. Many of the guests, like Maggie Aardema, Nan Graham and Knox Pierson, were long-time Wrightsville Beach residents.
“I was on the board at the museum for six years,” Aardema said. “I really think there’s a lot of support in the community for the Wrightsville Beach Museum. It’s imperative that the history of our beach be preserved.”
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