Old Baldy Lighthouse

Old Baldy Lighthouse, built in 1817, is North Carolina's oldest surviving lighthouse and the historic centerpiece of Bald Head Island. The island is accessible only by ferry from Southport, North Carolina, giving every event held on the grounds a genuine remote-island character. Managed by the Old Baldy Foundation, the property encompasses the lighthouse, the Smith Island Museum of History, a spacious lawn, an Oil House, and a canopy of moss-draped southern live oaks. Tidal estuaries and creeks wind through the surroundings, and the lighthouse tower — rising over the property — serves as a striking natural backdrop for outdoor ceremonies and tented receptions. Rental access covers the grounds and restrooms; the foundation can connect renters with island-based vendors for tents, furniture, lighting, and décor. Liquor liability insurance is required for events serving alcohol.