16" wood lapstrake,with a 30 h.p. evinrude, it was heaven to me at age 12 when i progressed to go out alone in my best friends fathers boat. the smell of the wood & the burned 30 wt. oil still would bring me back to those marvelous times in my life & i have boated all my life because of those memories

I would like to come to the library and see the Barbour collection. Is it available for that? Do I need to make an appointment?   Thank you,   Richard Askins3

I learned to weld working at Barbour Boat Works in the early 60s which led to a long career as a welding professor, textbook author, and most importantly, a welder. I have always been grateful to New Bern High School, my shop teacher, Zachariah Taylor Koonce and the ship yard for starting me on a lifelong career. As a young man, I was mesmerized by the many stories told by the old welders, such as their stories about welding on the Liberty Ships. I was pleased to learn when I returned to New Bern for my 50th class reunion that although the cityscape has changed, the people have not. It's still a warm and friendly place.Larry JeffusAuthor of Welding Principles and Applications