By Peter Biello
Wilmington, NC – The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Southport hopes to soon spread its sails a bit wider.
Officials from the museum and the town of Southport are working with the federal government to allow the museum to rent two apartments for a dollar per year. Federal approval is required because the apartments were part of Fort Johnston, which the military decommissioned and turned over the city of Southport last year.
Museum manager Mary Strickland says the museum needs extra space for its summer programs.
We're kinda crowded in our little classroom here in the museum so that would help a lot.
She also says the timing of the move couldn't be better.
This gives us an opportunity before summer to get the building in the shape that we would need it.
If the federal government signs off on the plan, the museum will remove the wall dividing the two apartments.
Strickland expects the federal government to respond in the coming weeks.
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