Ocracoke Portrait

by Ann Sebrell Ehringhaus

From the rear cover of this 107 page "Ocracoke is a small barrier island twenty-three miles off the coast of North Carolina. As early as 1585, European visitors noted Ocracoke's use as an Indian fort; in the early eighteenth century, it was a haven for Blackbeard and other pirates; and in World War II, German submarines sank Allied ships off its coast. Today, the island has less than seven hundred residents, most of whom depend on fishing and tourism to make a living. Because the island is accessible only by ferry, the people who live here are constantly reminded of their isolation. They are self-reliant and independent, but at the same time generous when community spirit is needed. Ann Sebrell Ehringhaus has captured the essence of this unique place in her 'Ocracoke Portrait'. From her hours of taped interviews, Ehringhaus selected the quotations that complement the sixty-four duotone photographs that she chose for her book. Through [this book], Ann Ehringhaus has given all of us the opportunity to share some of the beauty and magic of this special place."

107 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1988

Reviews

[James Klagge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book today b/c I saw on Facebook that the author/photographer moved to Ocracoke 50 years ago, in 1971. Then she did this book of photos and interview/quotations in the '80s after having become part of the community. When we were there for our honeymoon in 2003 we bought a photo from her.
The photos in the book are not poignant or especially notable. They are B&W slices of everyday life on the island--from a resident, not a tourist, point of view. They are accompanied by quotations from a variety of folks, many just overheard. A sort of portrait of a special place at a point of transition.