The Beaufort museum focuses on North Carolina's cultural maritime heritage, coastal environment and natural history. Exhibit displays include shells from over 100 countries, fish models, shipwrecks, ship equipment, types of watercraft historically used in North Carolina, whaling, oyster catching, waterfowl hunting equipment and duck decoys, and venomous snakes found in North Carolina. Small aquariums are on display with local marine life. Another exhibit focuses on the history of the United States Lighthouse Service, United States Life-Saving Service, Revenue Cutter Service, Steamboat Inspection Service, and the United States Coast Guard in North Carolina.