About OPS
The Ocracoke Preservation Society is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to the preservation of Ocracoke Island's rich historical and cultural heritage.
Founded in 1983, OPS has maintained a free admission museum at the century-old David Williams House since 1992. This traditional two-story house was built around the year 1900. Its owner, David Williams, was the first Chief of the U.S. Coast Guard station on Ocracoke. The house is a contributing structure in the Ocracoke Historic District. In 1989, it was moved to its present location on National Park Service property to prevent its demolition and was subsequently restored.
We first opened our doors to the public in June of 1992. The ground floor rooms have been converted to serve as our museum, and the second floor contains a research library and administrative offices. The house and surrounding Ocracoke Historic District property are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Our Team
Board of Directors
Ken DeBarth
President
Jeanie Owens
Secretary
Peter Vankevich
Trustee
Kathi Weiss
Member at Large
Judy Garrish
Trustee
Bill Cole
Vice President
Charlie Ralston
Treasurer
Brant Godfrey
Trustee
Candy Gaskill
Trustee
Robert Kornegay
Trustee